ONLY THE STRONG SHALL SURVIVE

First of all, let me say that I am writing this not only to encourage others, but mainly to encourage myself because as we speak I am going through rough storms.

Strength comes in many forms: physical, mental and spiritual. Physical strength is probably the most obvious to see. People spend tons of money to obtain physical strength. There all powders, pills, potions and injections, some of them even illegal to obtain. That is the length that people will go to achieve physical strength.
It does not stop there; people will almost kill themselves in the gym to obtain physical strength working out
on just about every type of machine known to man. Don’t get me wrong, I like to partake in a great sweaty workout myself from time to time. Have you ever thought if we used that same energy to build our spiritual strength that we used to build our bodies, how spiritually strong we would be? Hmmm….something to think about.

Mental strength could be defined as the lack of failure under pressure or stress or strain. What does all of that mean? Refuse to fail! Sounds simple, but it really is not always easy. When you are hit by rough times continuously, it’s easier to give up then it is to dig deep and anchor down your mind and emotions. Sometimes I wish I could get an easy fix at the gym for mental as well. Maybe, just maybe, I could attach a barbell to my head?…Ouch! That could hurt! Nothing easy about that! Well, how do we build mental strength? The same way that you build spiritual strength! Believe and trust in God, believe in yourself and know that God will see you through the fiery trials. Some points to remember:

• Anchor down in God’s Word by reading and studying on a regular basis. Hearing God’s promises for your life, you will eventually become strong and overcome.
• Prayer based on the Word will help you become spiritually and mentally strong.
                             • Refuse all invitations to pity parties. Stamp the invitation “Return to Sender”

By following these simple principles, you should well be on your way to mental and spiritual health in no time! Physical strength, well….see your local gym or YMCA facility for that.

Fruits of the Spirt – Patience, One of The Most Difficult Fruits to Bear

One of the hardest fruits to bear is patience or longsuffering.

One particular thesaurus defined it as willingness to endure, composure, self-control, and submission (Ouch! There goes that S-word again! )   Another thesaurus defined it as the capacity of enduring hardship without complaint.  Wow! No wonder patience is so difficult to achieve!  Not being able to complain when we are going through hardship?  What fun is that?  Like most humans, we want to complain to someone when we are going through difficulties.  You know the phrase “misery loves company”.  I had a conversation with God about the subject  one day and would like to share it. It went something like this:  “You mean to say, Lord that patience involves composure and self-control?  How does one have self-control when you want things to happen now, now NOW!  You mean to also say that I have to submit my will for Yours?  Submission involves surrender and obedience.  Wouldn’t it just be easier if you just gave me patience?  Why is this something I have to learn on my own by going through stuff, Lord?  How do I learn this patience you speak of?  Okay, then let me go to Your Word and see what I can find out.  Hmmm…I think I would like to consult with Job and see how he learned patience while going through trials.  If I interviewed Job about the subject of patience, I imagine it would go like this: 

(Some inferences may be allowed for dramatic effect)

Me: Job! Job! I am so glad I caught up with you?  Say, you gotta minute?
Job:  Sure, what would you like to talk about? 
Me:  I have a question for you…how do you obtain patience?
Job:  Wow! That’s a tough one!  Patience means longsuffering and that can only come by going through difficult times and waiting on God to bring you through.
Me:  What you can’t just ask God for it and it just miraculously appears?
Job:  No patience is one of those “learned” skills. 
Me:  Can you tell me about what happened to you?  I know at one time you were thought to be one of the wealthiest men in your land with 10 children, lots of cattle and servants running about. 
Job:  Well…it seemed in one day, I lost all of my children, my cattle and all of my wealth with no notice at all.
Me:  All in one day?!
Job:  Yes, in one day.  Then another day, for no apparent reason I just became covered in sores and boils all over my body!  I didn’t know what was happening!  I just knew that if God gave me all that I had, He had the right to take it all away and give it right back to me if He so desires.
Me:  So how did you handle all of these losses?
Job:  Well, my wife told me to curse God and die, but I refused to do that.  Most of my friends and other family deserted me.  The neighborhood children were afraid of me because I looked hideous!  I had 3 friends that came and sat and talked with me for a while, but sometimes they could get so negative about the whole situation.  You gotta watch those negative people around you.  They can really bring you down.
Me:  Yeah, I know what you mean.
Job:  I’d be lying if I said that I did not complain at all or even question
God as to why this was happening to me, but in all my pain, I never cursed Him or turned my back on Him.  But yes after awhile I started complaining.  I mean com’on, I’m only human.  Anyone with my afflictions would start complaining eventually.  Well God sent this young man named Elihu who made me kinda think about God’s sovereignty and then God Himself spoke to me as if in a whirlwind one day and questioned me! 
Me:   God Himself!  Wow What did he question you about?
Job:  Well, he started to ask me a series of questions that basically stated where was I when He created the earth.  If he did not need me then, He certainly did not need me now.  I had to learn to let God be God and he’ll bring me through all of this if I just wait on Him.  I eventually submitted.  The whole experience was very humbling.
Me:  Wow! I can imagine!  So what ended up happening?
Job:  Well that’s the best part!  God did bring me through once I stopped complaining and He blessed me with more than I had before!  I mean almost twice that!  Except for the amount of children.  I mean after all, I did have 10 children if you count the daughters. But God blessed me to have 10 more children.  3 more beautiful girls!  7 more handsome sons!  My sores and boils were all gone!  Life was good again.
Me:  Wow I bet!  So you had to acquire or learn patience after going through all of that right?  It did not just appear.
Job:  Exactly!  Complaining does not make your situation go away.  It can make it worse.  Trusting in God and having patience that He will bring you through is what you need to do.
Me:  Yes, I see that now.  No wonder why they say “patience is a virtue”!  It’s difficult to learn true patience but when you do look at all the rewards!  Well thank you so much, Job, for all of your words of wisdom today.  I think I understand what it takes now.  Submitting to God’s will without complaint and trusting in Him to bring you through. 
Job:  Exactly!  No problem.  You’re welcome!  Well I have to go now and get ready for another feast at one of my son’s home.  They are always throwing one of these things just to celebrate God’s goodness or at least that’s what I’d like to think they’re celebrating. (laughs)
Me:  Okay, well you all have fun and again, thanks!  Goodbye!
Job: Goodbye

Need I say more about patience?  Okay, Lord help me to sustain my faith through my trials knowing that you will bring me through.  But until then Lord, I will build my patience adding another block to the character that you are building within me.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

The Amazement of God

At the risk of sounding like Pochahontas, have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon?  Or just looked up in the sky at all of the beautiful stars (unless you live in Los Angeles – then you probably can’t see them)  Do you ever take a moment to just gaze at the landscape around you?  The flowers, the trees, the hills, mountains and seas, the deserts and valleys all have beauty in them.  Do you ever wonder about the changing of the seasons and how it all works in syncopation with the rotation and evolution of the earth?  Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 writes about a time for everything to happen under heaven.  Wow! When you think of all of that, it can be mind-blowing!

Think of the miracle of childbirth!  Have you ever noticed how the birds of the air and fish of the sea are quite capable of feeding themselves without human intervention?  Actually some of those same foul and fish become food for us.  In a seemingly chaotic world where everybody is eating everybody else, there is still beauty in all of it.  You just have to stop and look for it.  Wow!  God is truly amazing! 

Enjoy the slideshow and be blessed!

(Click the audio button to turn on music if you wish)

 

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Fruits of the Spirit – Peace

This is a continuation of my Bible Study on Fruits of the Spirits in Galations 5: 22 – 23. 

When I think of the word “peace”, it brings to mind all of the hippies running around in the 60’s stating “Peace, man”.  Another image I think of are the many hopeful beauty pageant candidates for the title wishing for world peace. 

What is peace?

It is defined as:

1. a state of tranquility or quiet: as a : freedom from civil disturbance
2. freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
3. harmony in personal relations
4. a state or period of mutual concord between governments b : a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity
5. used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell
6. at peace : in a state of concord or tranquility

Is that the same as “Inner peace”?  Inner peace refers to “a state of being mentally and spiritually at peace, with enough knowledge and understanding to keep oneself strong in the face of discord or stress. Peace of mind is generally associated with bliss and happiness.”

What type of peace is being referred to in Galations 5:22?

Is it possible to have inner peace although there may be war or conflict going on in the world or in your life?  I believe it is very possible to have inner peace although there may be the absence of regular peace.  How is that possible you ask?  Don’t as me because I don’t have all of the answers.  If I knew, I could have bottled it up and perhaps be a millionaire!  Ask the “Prince of Peace”.  He does hold all of the answers.  It certainly does not fall within the hands of a few well-intentioned hippies or pageant hopefuls – no offense to anyone if that applies to you. 

What about the nationally recognized symbol of peace?  Here’s a little history behind it: 

“The internationally recognized symbol for peace was originally designed for the British nuclear disarmament movement. It was designed and completed on 21 February 1958 by Gerald Holtom, a professional designer and artist in Britain for the 4 April march planned by the Direct Action Committee Against Nuclear War (DAC) from Trafalgar Square, London to the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at Aldermaston Christan in England. The symbol was later adopted by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). It was adopted by first the 1960s anti-war movement, then the counterculture, and finally the popular culture of the time”

I wonder if it is coincidence that the symbol seems to resemble an upside-down cross?  Hmmm…almost as if it detracts from what the true symbol of peace should be and who the true provider of peace really is?  That’s going a little too deep, but it’s one of those things that makes you go…hmmm.  I believe the only way to obtain true peace is only by casting all of your cares and burdens to Jesus.  By focusing on Him, you don’t have to resort to hostile means or stress on any of the things that are not peaceful like. 

Does that mean that if everyone did that we would have a eutopian society?  No!  I believe that God allows some conflict in the world and in our lives so that everything balances. How would we know to look to God for peace if there was no conflict?  Our place as Christians is to align our reactions to hostility and conflict to God’s word.  That’s how we achieve inner peace in OUR world.  To obtain innerpeace, look to the true symbol of peace – the cross! 

THE COMEBACK KING

(I’m warning you, this is a little long, but if you stick with it, it should bless you)

What is a comeback?  “A return to formerly enjoyed status or prosperity”.  Many artists have made a comeback.  Artists such as Sylvester Stallone, John Travolta, and LL Cool J have all made their comebacks.  Michael Jackson was about to go on a great comeback tour before his death.  Whitney Houston is one of our most recent comeback artist with her new album featuring her gospel single “ I Look to You”   What do all of these people have in common?  They fought to regain the status they once had when they were on top of their game. 

However do you know who was the most famous biblical comeback king?  David, King of Israel.  Think about it!  David came from very meager means, however after King Saul’s death was appointed king upon God’s instruction to Samuel the prophet. (1 Samuel 16:1-13)  Before he became king, he slew the giant, Goliath with a sling, a stone and a lot of faith.  

 (1 Sam 17:38-49)   After that, he became a favorite among the people.  He then had to become a fugitive from Saul who was trying to kill him although he conquered a giant for him and at one time saved Saul’s life.  After he became king, he was on top again.  He had wealth, power and he was spiritually strong.  That didn’t last long!  He fell spiritually after he coveted Bathsheba while she was bathing herself as he was out on his terrace.  He sent for her and committed adultery.  She became pregnant and then David plotted to have her husband killed in battle by putting him in the frontline.  He then took Bathsheba as his wife.  (2 Sam 11:1-27)  Okay without counting, David broke at least 3 commandments with this one affair!  I’m sure this was a spiritual low for the king.  Although that was a major spiritual setback, David repented and overcame. 

Things did not get easier for the king after that.  There were constant conflicts and turmoil within his own family.  One of his sons, Ammon, raped his half sister, Tamar, and refused to marry her. (2 Samuel 13)  (That was the more acceptable solution during that time)  His other son, Absalom, killed Ammon and then later on tried to overtake the throne from his father along with some of is other brothers and some of David’s kingdom. I’m sure this was a popularity low point for David.  Betrayed by his own sons!  How low can one get!  Again he became a fugitive, this time, from his own son.  Despite David’s commands to his army generals, Absalom was killed and David mourned deeply.  That must have been an emotional low point for the king!  However, I am sure David being the man he was he bounced back from that and then another son, Adonijah, (1 Kings 1) led an attempted coup d’ etat against his father to take away his power.  His wife of adulterous means, Bathsheba, stopped that and upon David’s instructions, appointed her son, Solomon, as his successor. (1 Kings 1:28-40)

 What a vicarious comeback!  Think about it!  Bathsheba, who became his wife by ill-gotten means, lost their first baby that ultimately led to the death of her first hustband, Uriah.  She had another son, named Solomon whom God allowed to become King of Israel.  Wow!  All about that working together for the good scenario, huh?

Are you experiencing any setbacks now?  Have you ever experienced any setbacks?  Were you at one time on top of your spiritual game?  Perhaps you were a Sunday School teacher, an outreach witness, a choir member, a prayer warrior, an evangelist, a preacher or even a pastor.  Perhaps you were none of those titles and was just more spiritually stronger in your walk and faith with God.  Please believe that until you take your last breath, there is still hope for you!  Make a comeback!  Think about David who overcame time and time again and did not let these setbacks hold him down.  He constantly repented and came back to God.  God readily opened His arms and accepted him.  He was called a “man after God’s own heart”.  This, about a man who constantly screwed up!  He was called that because he knew how to repent!  Serious kudos to David, the most famous comeback king ever! 

 Take Me Back, take me back dear Lord to the place where I was at a spiritual high.  Take me back to when I was busy for your kingdom and was content in the joy of doing so.  Allow me to make a spiritual comeback, not for my sake, but for thine glory.  In Jesus name, Amen.

CAKE AND LEMONADE

 

Most of us love a good slice of cake and who doesn’t like a tall glass of lemonade in the summer months to beat the heat?  Well no matter how delicious the cake can be, have you ever thought about the ingredients that go into it?  Here’s a great recipe that I   found on www.allrecipes.com:   

 INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 8 egg yolks
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups cake flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

 DIRECTIONS

1.        Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 2 – 8 inch round pans. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

2.        In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the milk, mixing just until incorporated. Pour batter into prepared pans.

3.        Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until tops spring back when lightly tapped. Cool 15 minutes before turning out onto cooling racks.

When you think about each ingredient separately, it’s kind of nasty.  You would not think about eating most of the ingredients separately.  Think about it…butter (yuck!), egg yolks (uuuuuggghhh, unless you’re a body builder), vanilla extract (have you ever tried it?), flour (I don’t think so), baking powder (double yuck!), salt (bad for your health!).  And think about what these poor nasty ingredients have to go through?  Beat and creamed together and then subjected to high intense heat for a period of time?  And for what purpose?  Well all of these seemingly disgusting ingredients when combined together can make one delicious cake!  Hmmmm!  At the risk of sounding like Forest Gump’s mother, “Life is like the ingredients of a cake…they all work together for the good!

Don’t get me started on the lemonade!  Unless you’re like me, most people don’t like lemons by themselves. If you squeeze lemons in water, it might make your cool refreshing glass of water taste a little bitter.  Add a little sugar to it and voila!!  You have a tasty drink!

Those distasteful ingredients can be a lot like the situations and trials we go through on a daily basis.  God can take those trials we go through and put it all together and make them work together for your good.  

“ ²⁸And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,^[a] who^[b] have been called according to his purpose”.   Romans 8:28

So let me ask you…what kind of cake is God baking for you today?

Lord, as I go through my trials, they may not seem good at the time, but please give me the courage to withstand the heat because I know that You are completing in me something so wonderful that it will all seem worth it in the end because You are the Author and Finisher of my faith until the end of my days or until the day of your coming whichever comes first.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

ANGELS vs DEMONS or…GOOD vs EVIL

“LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!”, I can hear the announcer shout as I think about the war that has been going on in the background of most believers’ lives, including my own.

 Spiritual warfare is defined as the “struggle to have life in this…world reflect as much of God’s loving governance as possible.”  (http://www.spirithome.com/spirwarf.html)   Wikipedia defines it as the concept that demons…attempt to thwart goodness and the will of God…It can be manifested in different ways, including demon possession, demonic harassment by attacks on a person’s thoughts, relationship or life with God”.

There are some Christians who believe the concept of spiritual warfare to be a “hoax”.  There is no such thing as “binding Satan or his demons”, or “rebuking” the devil.  These same Christians believe there is a God, there are angels and there is a place called heaven.  Well I say if all that exist, there has to be a devil, demons and a place called hell.  It all comes to play in the balance of life.  Without evil, how would we know what good is?  Therefore evil has to exist in order for there to be good in this life.  We as Christians just have to know how to fight or ward off evil.  That’s where spiritual warfare comes in. 

When Jesus walked this earth, He casted out many demons and performed many great works.  Before He ascended, He instructed His followers to do the same as He did.  Through the teachings of the Bible, His followers are instructing us how to do it.  Now here’s a though…if we as believers can have the power to ward of evil in our lives, why do we need to be “delivered” from evil by a third party? (i.e., pastors, evangelists, etc.) Well have you ever been at a point in your life where you are not that spiritually strong?  I know that I have many times.  That’s where other spiritual leaders can come in your life and help you by delivering that demonic stronghold out of your life.  Why is it demonic?  If it’s not of God, then…you know the rest.  When spiritual leaders are not available (or even when they are) there are unseen forces battling for you.  Isn’t it awesome to know that God loves you enough to dispatch one of His messengers to fight for you because you could not fight for yourself?  That’s love!  That’s powerful love!  How do we get to the point of fighting for ourselves?  Here’s a few tips:

STAY PRAYERFUL – Demons hate that!   

STAY IN YOUR BIBLE – Knowledge is power!

STAY IN FELLOWSHIP- Where two are more are gathered together

What does the Bible have to say about spiritual warfare?

^“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.”  Ephesians 6:12-15 NIV

When you put on that armor, you can be ready to do battle!  When you become ready for battle and stay ready, then you can be that person who may have to be strong for another person one day and fight for them as someone fought for you.  It is the Christian way of life…to reciprocate what’s been done for you. 

I wrote this blog for myself  as well because I have experienced demonic strongholds personally and let me just state that demons are real!  Possession is real!  It may not be that Hollywood image of pea-soup spitting, head turning experience, Linda Blair kind of possession.  Nonetheless, it is real!  Yes, Christians who do not have on their armour can be taken unaware and be possessed.  DON’T BE CAUGHT UP!  Know your enemy and his tactics and be prepared!

Lord, let me never again be caught without my armor on so as to lose another battle with the devil or my flesh.  I am not saying that Lord, I will not get caught up, but God give me the wisdom to arm myself for the struggles of my Christian walk so that I can stay in right fellowship with You.  In Jesus name, Amen.