End Game – Know Who You Are

Do you really know who you are in Christ? 

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1 Corinthians 1:30-31 – But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

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One of the statements I use often in ministry is, “If God said it, that settles it.”  I sometimes expound on that statement, especially as it relates to who we are in Christ Jesus.  I say it this way.  If God says you are, then you are.  If God says you can, then you can.  If God says you possess it, then you possess it.  Once again, “If God said it, that settles it.”

With that in mind, let’s take a few moments to lay a foundation for WHO YOU ARE in Jesus.  Let’s begin with our Text for Today.  Look closely at it.  Put in simple terms, if you are in Christ Jesus, you are redeemed, sanctified, righteous, and wise.  That’s not a bad beginning towards identifying yourself the way God has.  This is what God has said about you.  That settles it.  According to what God has said, you are a new creature in Christ; that is a new species that has never before existed.  You are the head and not the tail.  You are blessed in the city and in the field, coming in and going out.  You are a lender to many nations and not a borrower.  You are an “heir of God,” and a “joint heir with Christ.”  You are one of God’s “BELOVED.”  Wherever you find that term used as a point of identification, that Word is speaking to you.  Invest your time wisely in a diligent examination of God’s Word.  You are whoever God says you are.  You can do whatsoever God says you can do.  You possess whatever God says you possess.  You can obtain whatsoever God says you can obtain.  These last four statements convey that broad and simple truth about who you are in Christ.  If who you are in Christ does not match who you are in your own mind, change you mind.  Let the mind of Christ dwell in your richly.  Remember, and NEVER forget, if God says it, that settles it.  Build the faith of that statement into your spirit.  Build the truth of that statement into your mind until your mind is completely renewed to it.  Build the reality of that statement even into your flesh, your natural memory, and NEVER allow it to escape you.

Allow this truth to become as set as reinforced concrete in your heart and mind.  Become so determined about it, that if someone asks who you are, you are as apt to respond, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus,” as you are to respond with your birth name.  So, my friend, who are you?  In my spirit I pray I can hear you say, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.”

Manna for Today – 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Galatians 6:7; Romans 8:17; 3 John 2

End Game – Know Whose You Are

Knowing the owner can make a world of difference in outcome.  Victory belongs to you.

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Song of Solomon 2:16 – My Beloved is mine, and I am His: He feedeth among the lilies.

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From the moment of birth, it is important for the development of a baby that it experience a sense of belonging, a connection that words cannot describe. As the child gets older, a major portion of his identity is connected to his sense of ownership; not so much that he owns his parents, but that he is owned by his parents.  While he doesn’t understand the responsibility of ownership, he certainly enjoys the security and comfort that comes when someone else is responsible for him.

My dear fellow believer, because Jesus Christ is your Savior, you enjoy the benefits of redemption.  And because He is your Lord, you enjoy the life of sonship that clearly indicates you are God’s child, and joint heir with His first-born Son.  In the identity of those two relationships is wondrous security that He is responsible for every Word that is written about your relationship.  He is responsible to make available to you, as His heir and joint heir with Jesus, resurrection life, renewed mind, healthy body, abundance of provision, safety from every device of Satan, favor with Himself and man, and through Holy Spirit, the dunamis (ability) to utilize your full exousia (authority) that belongs to you as a child of God.

All that belongs to you because you belong to the Lord.  It is recorded in the Word of God that shall never fail, and by which God upholds all things relative to covenant.  However, all that in no way absolves us of our own responsibility.  As God’s child, you carry distinct responsibility from which you will never be excused.  It is your responsibility to be obedient to the words of Covenant.  In the Hebrew language, there is a term that is used to describe a young man’s rise to manhood in covenant.  It is “bar mitzvah.”  That term, being literally translated means “son of commandment.”  You see, God and His Word are One.  To be a son of God means you are a Son of the Word, or a “son of commandment.”  You belong to God.  You belong to Jesus.  You belong to Holy Ghost.  You belong to the Word.  When you accept that truth, yield yourself to it, knowing whose you are so dramatically frees you to carry out whatever His Word commands of you.  Oh, the glorious liberty that becomes yours when you realize that by walking in obedience to your Owner, He steps in to be fully responsible to take care of you, provide for you, to sustain you, and to back up your faithfulness to His Word when you speak as His ambassador.  Knowing whose you are in foundational to your walk in faith.

Manna for Today – 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Romans 8:14-17; John 3:16-17; Hebrews 1:3; Isaiah 55:11; John 1:1 & 14

Jesus Will NOT Fail You

Times are bad.  God is GOOD.  The days are dark.  God is LIGHT.  Where is your faith anchored?

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John 10:10 – The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

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Let’s begin by settling some identity issues.  Who is speaking in our Text for Today?  JESUS!  Who is the “thief” to whom He refers?  Satan!  Who is the “I” to whom He refers?  HIMSELF!  Who is the “they” to whom He refers?  You and me, His joint-heirs!

Set the dividing point of your thinking at this point in the Scriptures.  Jesus clearly defined Satan’s intent in anything he does, regardless of how small or grand it may seem.  He comes to steal, kill, and destroy, in that order.  He comes to steal the Word from your heart and mind, to kill you and/or your influence (favor) with God and man, and ultimately destroy every good thing you have worked and trusted the Lord to bring forth.  The devil’s tools are many, his weapons cruel and cunning, and his attacks seemingly tireless.  But that, my dear friend, should in no way influence you, for no weapon formed against you shall prosper, and your faith is the victory that overcomes the world.  And while there are many things you should always carry in your heart, one of the greatest is knowing that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.  You are more than a conqueror.

And from our Text for Today, while the work of Satan is clearly set forth, that should not be the focus of our attention.  Our attention should be constantly focused on this great truth.  Jesus has come so that we can have life, and have it more abundantly.  Jesus, the Word made flesh, love personified, NEVER fails.  He will NEVER fail you.  His Word NEVER fails.  And in Him, in His Word, using His faith, walking in His love, you, too, shall NEVER fail. 

Though Satan’s weapons are cruel and cunning, we are clad in the armor of God that will protect from every weapon he attempts to use.  Though Satan’s attacks seem endless, we shall you be weary in well-doing, but shall always have the victory in Christ.  Though the devil’s tools are many, the weapons of our warfare are supernatural, far greater, and never-failing.  As the words of one songwriter said, “I cannot be defeated, and I will not quit; redeemed by the blood of Jesus, I’ve been loosed from Satan’s pit.  Jesus fought and He won the battle, and He gave it all to me.  I cannot be defeated.  I’m saved, I’m healed, I’m free.”  Regardless of the age, the hour, the test, and the weapons against us, WE CANNOT BE DEFEATED so long as we live by faith and walk in love.

Manna for Today – Philippians 4:19; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Psalm 23; Psalm 64; Psalm 91; Luke 1:37; Mark 11:22-24; John 14:12-14; Joshua 1:6-9; Jeremiah 29:11; Isaiah 55:11

SHALL

We should ALWAYS hold fast to God’s Word, and in this hour, that needs to be highly emphasized.

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Philippians 4:19 – But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

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In the English language, there is no word with more declarative power than SHALL / WILL.  To say, “I shall,” or “I will,” and fail to do so makes one a liar.  I understand that circumstances may prevent us at times, but we can still explain and apologize for our failure.  But to do so willfully, without legitimate reason, is to lie.  The word SHALL or WILL is, without a doubt, as strong a declarative statement as can be made.  No additional words, oaths, or even crude expletives can strengthen SHALL or WILL.

Now stop for a moment and re-read our Text for Today.  The person of whom this verse is written is our God, the great God Jehovah, and that would also include Jesus and Holy Ghost.  The three are One, and it is impossible for God to lie.  He always speaks truth, and this statement about His character and ability that was inspired by Holy Ghost cannot be anything but truth. 

Consider for a moment this age in which we are living.  This present hour of time is one of which we are warned in Scripture.  Many people are lovers of self more than anything or anyone else.  They lie to, cheat, steal from, devour, and corrupt many of the people around them.  They dishonor God.  They hate Christians and the church, and will do what they can to subvert and destroy the church.  They will seek to have Christians killed, imprisoned, abused, persecuted, and destroyed.  This is the age in which we live.  Being a Christian will not prevent these things form happening, and to ignore them can, and likely will be very costly to anyone who does. 

While all these things are true, we MUST not allow ourselves to lose clear sight of our covenant relation-ship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  I encourage you to read Deuteronomy 28:1-14 and Psalm 91.  While there are many other passages that address the issues about which I write today, these two are foundational to all God has promised His covenant people.  Regardless of what is happening in this world, regardless of its horrible estate and condition, God’s covenant with me still stands.  I am His child, His heir, a joint heir with Christ, a recipient of life in Christ and the infilling of Holy Ghost.  I am one of His anointed.  I am the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath, blessed coming in and going out.  The enemy that comes against me one way must flee seven ways.  My God supplies all my need.  I am redeemed from the curse of the law.  None of these Scriptures have in any way been made void in my life, regardless of the age in which I live, the conditions around me, or the people and spiritual estates about me.  I live by my faith in God!  I SHALL live in victory!

Manna for Today – Joshua  1:6-9; Proverbs 4:20-23; Psalm 23; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; James 1:1-8; Hebrews 6:18; Matthew 24; Psalm 91

Don’t Worry, Ever

Worry is meditation on the possibility of the unknown holding potentially bad outcomes.

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Matthew 6:31 & 34 – Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  ….  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

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Worry expects the negative, the defeat, the loss, the pain, the fruitless struggle, and the like.   None of that is real while it dominates one’s spirit and soul, but it still drains all the energy necessary to overcome these things IF they become reality.  Faith, on the other hand, takes hold of the unseen evidence of the positive, the victory, the win, the gain, the joy, the harvest of wonderful fruit, and the like.  In faith, all these things are real, for they rise from a force of the spirit and not the impressions of the mind based on circumstances.  However, we all face circumstances each day we live, and they are often powerfully effective in the way they attack our minds and our faith.  All of us have, at some point in our walk with the Lord, fallen prey to the fears of life, and by that, fallen into the snare or worry where we have been robbed of peace.  We have been discouraged from the faith in which we stood, delayed or completely thwarted from the answer to our prayer, and damaged by what feels like brokenness of heart.  These things ought not be.

So, how can the believer completely overcome worry, and by that, walk in the victory promised to us by our Lord?  The answer, while simple in scope, requires one’s whole “heart, soul, mind, and strength.”  It is called the walk of love.  That is a walk in the agape love of God.  It is not about feelings or emotions.  It is a quality decision in life that one makes to walk in obedience to the Word of God.  And it when we walk in love that our faith can and will work at its highest and most effective level, for faith works by love.  When our walk of love is paramount, and our desire to please Father by living by faith is unflinching, worry will have no place in our lives.  Worry and all that is connected to it will be defeated.  Fear will be cast out and faith will serve you.  Worry shall be cast down and brought into captivity along with every worrisome thought that can arise against you.  Anxieties and cares will be cast upon the Lord who cares for us.  If there is ANY caring to be done, leave it to the Father.  He can handle it perfectly, and the believer can be free to honor the Lord, living by faith and walking in the love of God.

Manna for Today – Matthew 6:25-34; 1 Peter 5:1-11; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; 1 John 4:18; Mark 12:30; Deuteronomy 6:5; 1 John 5:3; John 14:15-17

It Is Commanded

Whatever God commands you to do, He empowers you to fulfill.

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1 John 2:6 – He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

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A commandment of the Lord is an order from God about which there is no choice, and from which there is no turning.  That being stated, look once again at our Text for Today.  These are marvelously powerful words that are written to us in the Scriptures.  Look at it closely.  We are to walk as Jesus walked.  Think on that.  “as He walked.”  Many would say that is not possible.  I remind you of this truth.  If God commands you to do a thing, He equips, enables, and empowers you to do it.  There will be no excuses.  We are COMMANDED to “…walk, even as He walked.”  So, how did Jesus walk?

He surely lived by faith, for He was just, and the just shall live by faith.  He perfectly pleased the Father, so, He surely walked by faith, for without faith, it is impossible to please God.  Jesus walked this earth without sin, so He surely lived by faith, for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

He walked in love.  We know that faith works by love, and Jesus never failed in any  endeavor of faith in which He engaged.  The Bible defines the love of God as keeping His commandments.  Jesus perfectly kept every command His Father gave Him, so He therefore walked in love at all times.  Likewise, the Scriptures tell us that love NEVER fails, and we know from the Scriptures that Jesus NEVER failed.

Jesus, the Word made flesh, lived the Word out in His life to the fullest.  Though heaven and earth shall pass away, the Word of God shall never pass away.  Jesus was, and is, the Word made flesh.  He shall never pass away.  Oh, but how can any human being live up to such a standard?  In the natural, it is not possible, but with God, all things are possible.  We are commanded in the Word to be “imitators of God as dear children.”  To imitate Him is to live like He lived. That does not refer to walking everywhere we go, wearing first century clothing, or speaking Aramaic and Hebrew.  What is DOES mean is to speak with the authority with which He spoke, to perform the same signs and wonders that He did, and to even do greater than He did.  James tells us that if any man does not offend in word, the same is a perfect man, and able to bridle his whole body.  Jesus spoke only that which pleased Father.  That should be our own standard.  Bridle your tongue.  Before you speak, consider what the Lord would say about your words, and speak accordingly, led by Holy Spirit and pleasing Father.

Manna for Today – 1 John 2:1-6; Ephesians 5:1; Proverbs 4:20-23; 1 Peter 1:16; 1 John 5:3; James 3:2

Needed for Fellowship and More

God’s light if filled with divine purpose.

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1 John 1:7 – But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

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We cannot say or write enough concerning the need for unity in the body of Christ, or the need of agreement in the Church, and the power of the Spirit that is manifest when the body of Christ operates together in the unity of the Spirit.  The power of God ready to be manifest when unity prevails is surely exponential in its measure.  Take the time today to read our Manna for Today passages.  They speak so profoundly to our topic here.  The power of God that can be manifest in agreement goes beyond anything our minds can grasp. 

Where two or more of us agree on anything we ask of our Father, He said He would grant it.  We are commanded to not only assemble together, but to exhort one another and the more so as we see the end of the age approaching.  And dear one, that time is surely rapidly approaching at this moment.  And the reasons for coming together expand well beyond the power level that is attained.

Take a close look at our Text for Today.  There is one of the most profound reasons for our coming together in fellowship, unity, and peace.  Look closely at its words.  When we “walk in the light,” that is, we live our lives according to the teaching of God’s Word, it will increase our fellowship, its depth and richness, and all that comes from such unity.  I want to particularly point to an element in this text that is so vital to loving a victorious Christian life.  As Christians, we should live apart from, separated from and free from sin.  In our Text for Today, we see that living the Word, obeying Father’s commands, keeping His instructions is indicative of walking in the light of God.  The Scriptures tell us that the entrance of the Word brings light.  The light in which we must walk is the instruction of His Word for our lives.  When we walk there, we have fellowship with Father, Son, Holy Ghost, AND our fellow believers who are doing the same.  When a group of believers, even a small group, has the fellowship that arises from walking in the light, the subsequent power is enormous.  I’m not writing about just gathering together in a group, but coming together in the unity of the Spirit.  In that place is the highest level of fellowship, and in that place, there is a continual cleansing for our lives by the blood of Jesus.  Just think of that; living in a place, along with others, where the presence and washing of the blood of Jesus is continually present, keeping us in a state of continued cleanness from every contaminating element of this world.  That place exists in fellowship around the Word of God.

Manna for Today – 1 John 1:1-10; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Deuteronomy 32:20; Matthew 18:19-20; Psalm 119:130

A Possession to Be Prized

How much do you prize your health…your total health, spirit, soul, and body?

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A Possession to Be Prized

Proverbs 17:22 – A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

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Do you prize your general health; the health of your entire being?  I certainly do.  Sadly, I have met many people who don’t prize their health until no longer have it, and then they often become desperate to regain it by whatever means are possible.  And in today’s world,  the means for regaining one’s health seem to be numerous, when in reality, they are not.  But I offer you an absolutely sure method of not only regaining your health, but of walking in health and keeping it once you have it. 

First, allow me to make one thing very clear.  If the Lord calls you apart for a time of separation unto Him, obey Him.  Obedience is better than sacrifice.  Obedience to the Lord ALWAYS pays off in blessing.  People around you may not understand it, and may even speak against what you might be doing, but if you are obeying God, you are doing the right thing. 

In general, day-to-day living, no one lives or dies to himself.  We are commanded that we do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.  We are part of the body of Christ.  Each member of the body of Christ needs the other members of the body of Christ.  Just as an individual part of my body cannot perform all the necessary functions of life, so it is with the body of Christ.  None of use, regardless of how knowledgeable, anointed, called, and gifted, can perform every function necessary to be the body of Christ in its full measure.  WE NEED EACH OTHER. 

And where our health is concerned, that is especially true.  I need fellowship that produces joy and a merry heart.  I need your wisdom and ability in my life to help fulfill all my needs.  I need to hear you speak the Word of God.  I need to hear you pray, especially when you’re praying for me.  I need to hear your laughter so we can laugh together.  While there are certainly times when quiet is good for us; when silence is necessary for us, in the long haul of life, we are people who needs sound, good sound, edifying sound about us.  Think for a moment.  How does faith come?  By hearing, and hearing by the Word of God that is preached.  Without faith, it is impossible to please God.  Open your heart to hear the words of those about you, especially if they are speaking in line with the Word of God.  The sound of the voices of those I love, both family and friends, is like music to my ears.  It is music to which I can join my voice in harmony, and in that harmony is joy and merriness of heart….medicine to my entire being….health to my whole person.

Manna for Today – Proverbs 4:20-23; Psalm 103:1-5; Isaiah 53:4-5; Psalm 107:20; 1 Peter 2:24;    Matthew 8:17; 3 John 2; Ephesians 4:29; Hebrews 10:25; Romans 14:7

Jesus to You

At this critical time in this age, the words we speak are more critical than ever.

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Jesus to You

Ephesians 4:29 – Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

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The words of your mouth are, and always have been, critically important.  They are important to God, to your, to your life, to your family, to your estate in life, and to the outcomes of the events of your life.  Many people know something of this, but I believe few have any real idea of the true importance of what I am writing here today.  Take a moment to re-read our Text for Today.  If the Words of the Lord have any meaning, and they certainly do, this is a powerful command and warning to the body of Christ.  Concisely stated, Paul has told us that any word from our mouth that does not edify and minister grace is corrupt.  If what we say does not build up the hearer, and does not minister Godly influence in some manner upon the hearer, then it is corrupt.  That does not mean you always have to be quoting Scripture.  But it DOES mean just what it says.  The words we speak should build people up in a Godly manner, and should offer some proper, life-giving influence upon them. 

Such words may come in the form of reproof, rebuke, and correction.  They may come in the form of teaching and instruction, or simply encouragement, motivation, and inspiration.  They may be a Word directly from the Lord as a gift of the Spirit, or an instruction in righteousness.  It may come forth as a message to a multitude, or a one-on-one exhortation or correction.  They will not always be comfortable, but will, if heeded, edify and minister grace. 

I pray you receive this encouragement from me today.  The next time you are about to speak, or are preparing to speak, be it sermon, conversation, or counsel,  ask yourself the following question.  How would Jesus respond to what I am about to say?  I believe there would be one of four responses on His part.  He would (1) Accept it; (2) Amplify it; (3) Correct it; (4) Rebuke it.  I urge you to open your heart, take a step of faith, and make yourself available for the Lord to work and speak through you at the highest possible level.  When it is the Lord Who speaks through you, whether He is accepting of what you say, or amplifies what you say, or corrects that you say, He will confirm His Word through you with signs following.  I believe you can KNOW when you are correctly being His ambassador.  When you are, expect results.  The best is yet to come, and it is resting in the words we say.  Please Father!  Edify!  Minister grace!

Manna for Today – James 3:1-18; Joshua 1:6-9; Proverbs 4:20-23; Mark 11:22-24; Psalm 19:14

Tried Faith

When you go to war, you had better already be trained and armed.  Combat is not a classroom.

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James 1:2-3 – My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

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My friends, I offer you a brief but important warning today.  Some will not like this, for it may seem to attack some of the more user-friendly translations of Scripture.  Still, the truth needs to be spoken.  Our Text for Today is from the KJV Bible.  Look closely at what it says.  You can “count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations” when you KNOW something in particular.  That something in particular is “the trying of your faith worketh patience.”  How can you count it joy when you fall into different kinds of temptation, testing, and trials?  You MUST know something.  The something you must know is that you also have as a part of God’s armament, PATIENCE.  This PATIENCE of which I write is already in you.  It is the power twin of faith.  It is patience, that when released and applied Biblically, which produces the experience, or the manifest answer to your prayer.  

I urge you to be aware that some Bible translations, while I am sure they did not intend to do so in the translating, weaken many commands and instructions by using words that do not carry the full weight of God’s intention.  This is the case with our Text for Today.  Many translations tell us the “testing, or trying of our faith produces perseverance,” or “you learn to endure by having your faith tested.”  Dear reader, please consider what I say to you now.  Such statements are misleading at best, and may well be considered completely false.  To use such statements to an intelligent person in the military, or to someone who wants to become a championship boxer would be laughable, and considered dangerous to anyone who would put them into practice.

You don’t arm someone and put them into combat to make them into a good soldier, or test their capacity to overcome an enemy.  Such an action would be utterly ridiculous.  Someone once said, “rough seas make good sailors.”  NOT SO, my friend.  Good sailors are made when they are trained by those who are already good sailors.  That old adage I shared does not make “good sailors,” it makes “dead ones.”  Or look at it in this manner.  Would you put someone in the ring with Mike Tyson in a full-on fight to teach them how to become a boxer?  How utterly ridiculous. 

Trials and tribulations DO NOT COME to make you strong, regardless of what songwriters have written.  They come to stop the Word of God from working in your life.  If you have not learned to box at a high proficiency before fighting with a champion, you WILL lose.  If you have not learned to be a good soldier, you will NOT be trusted by army leaders to take a weapon into battle.  Let me say it as clearly as possible.  The trying of your faith DOES NOT teach you to endure or produce perseverance.  What it DOES DO is put your patience to work.  There is a great difference.  Be aware.  Study!

Manna for Today – James 1:1-8; Romans 5:1-5; Galatians 5:16-26; Mark 4:1-20