After having served the Lord for 25 years now, I am understanding the enemy's tactics are best seen in his subtlely. He always approaches very carefully. A full-on assault is not normally the way he operates. Think about it. He sows lying suggestions to you. This is the way he operated in the garden with Eve. It is the way he operated with Christ in the wilderness.
He is always trying to distort the Truth. Christ is all I need. Yet, he would have me believe I can hang on to Christ, while hanging on to other things. He would have me live in a double-mindedness. I cannot be satisfied with such a life. For, my Father in Heaven never intended me to live in such a manner. He intended I be fully His. This is why His Son was given as a sacrifice for my sin.
We must reject the lies the enemy would have us believe. Our rejection must be complete and encompass the subtle suggestions the enemy would have us embrace.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
You think you know....
For those who know me, they would tell you I know myself. They would say (at least, I think they would) I am rather confident. Lately, I am finding out I may not know myself as much as I think I do.
This knowledge has been brought on by developments within the Body of Christ in the church I pastor. We are at a place where we need to think about delegating and refining processes. As the leader/facilitator of this congregation, the Spirit of God has been asking me some pretty tough questions. Things like, "Do you think you need to have your hands in everything going on?", "Are you doing this because you are afraid to let others do it?", "Do you have pride in your heart that would cause you to think you have created ministry, growth, etc.?" Yeah! It has been a painfully honest time of admision before God.
I remember hearing someone teach on the subject of blind spots. You know, those things you don't see in yourself, but others see in you. The faults that God brings you to know through His Spirit and confirms through the testimony of others. Now, understand, I want to know these things about myself. So, I am grateful to the Lord for this knowledge.
The fact that He is perfecting that which lacks in me through His Spirit encourages my heart. Yet, when you pray that God would work in you so His Kingdom comes, be prepared. He may reveal things about yourself which surprises you. Thank God, through His Spirit and by faith in Christ, there is healing today and progression tomorrow toward His goal of Christlikeness for me.
This knowledge has been brought on by developments within the Body of Christ in the church I pastor. We are at a place where we need to think about delegating and refining processes. As the leader/facilitator of this congregation, the Spirit of God has been asking me some pretty tough questions. Things like, "Do you think you need to have your hands in everything going on?", "Are you doing this because you are afraid to let others do it?", "Do you have pride in your heart that would cause you to think you have created ministry, growth, etc.?" Yeah! It has been a painfully honest time of admision before God.
I remember hearing someone teach on the subject of blind spots. You know, those things you don't see in yourself, but others see in you. The faults that God brings you to know through His Spirit and confirms through the testimony of others. Now, understand, I want to know these things about myself. So, I am grateful to the Lord for this knowledge.
The fact that He is perfecting that which lacks in me through His Spirit encourages my heart. Yet, when you pray that God would work in you so His Kingdom comes, be prepared. He may reveal things about yourself which surprises you. Thank God, through His Spirit and by faith in Christ, there is healing today and progression tomorrow toward His goal of Christlikeness for me.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Your Identity
In a Philosophy class not long ago, discussion was had regarding the 3 questions of life. They are: 1. Who am I? 2. Why am I here? 3. Where am I going? I have been thinking lately of question number one, "Who am I?"
Have you stopped to think of that question? Who are you? When we answer that question, we often respond with things we do, who our family is, etc. Yet, the question goes deeper than that.
Last Sunday morning in church, I asked that question to our congregation. One of the men in the congregation quickly responded, "God's." I believe that is an accurate answer to the question, "Who am I?" My identity must be based in Something greater than me. It must be based in Something outside of me. If I believe that Someone created me, who I am is found in connection to that Someone, God.
We are constantly bombarded with things outside of ourselves which appeal to us to define us. I don't know about you, but many times in my life I have allowed those things to define me. Yet, when I reject the idea that things define me and allow my Creator and my connection to Him to define me, the result is contentment.
Have you stopped to think of that question? Who are you? When we answer that question, we often respond with things we do, who our family is, etc. Yet, the question goes deeper than that.
Last Sunday morning in church, I asked that question to our congregation. One of the men in the congregation quickly responded, "God's." I believe that is an accurate answer to the question, "Who am I?" My identity must be based in Something greater than me. It must be based in Something outside of me. If I believe that Someone created me, who I am is found in connection to that Someone, God.
We are constantly bombarded with things outside of ourselves which appeal to us to define us. I don't know about you, but many times in my life I have allowed those things to define me. Yet, when I reject the idea that things define me and allow my Creator and my connection to Him to define me, the result is contentment.
Monday, January 4, 2010
New Possibilities
The Enemy of our soul loves to squash Truth. You've heard his whispers of doubt and lies. He has whispered to you in the midst of difficulty. This enemy specializes in raising questions to enable a distrust of your Father.
Jesus came to this earth to demonstrate Truth. Although He came as Messiah, there were many moments when His disciples struggled to believe in the Truth that He was Messiah. Yet, their questions and unbelief didn't make it any less true that He was the Son of God and came to save them and us. Their despair didn't make it any less true that He died to set them free. Their discouragement didn't stop Him from rising from the dead.
We all face moments of questioning, doubt, discouragement and despair. We may have difficulty grasping the Truth that God is All we need. This is True because of what His Son accomplished for us in His life, death and resurrection.
The possibilities of the new year are already accomplished through Jesus Christ. Am I in the place where I can embrace His possibilities for my life? The reality of life in Christ. The reality of freedom in Christ. The reality of healing in Christ. The reality of fellowship in Christ.
Jesus came to this earth to demonstrate Truth. Although He came as Messiah, there were many moments when His disciples struggled to believe in the Truth that He was Messiah. Yet, their questions and unbelief didn't make it any less true that He was the Son of God and came to save them and us. Their despair didn't make it any less true that He died to set them free. Their discouragement didn't stop Him from rising from the dead.
We all face moments of questioning, doubt, discouragement and despair. We may have difficulty grasping the Truth that God is All we need. This is True because of what His Son accomplished for us in His life, death and resurrection.
The possibilities of the new year are already accomplished through Jesus Christ. Am I in the place where I can embrace His possibilities for my life? The reality of life in Christ. The reality of freedom in Christ. The reality of healing in Christ. The reality of fellowship in Christ.
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