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How many bodies are you carrying?

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation

Romans 7:14-24 – Christian Standard Bible

The Problem of Sin in Us

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold as a slave under sin. For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. Now if I do what I do not want to do, I agree with the law that it is good. So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do.  Now if I do what I do not want, I am no longer the one that does it, but it is the sin that lives in me. So, I discover this law: When I want to do what is good, evil is present with me. For in my inner self I delight in God’s law, but I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

2 Corinthians 2:14-17 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

 But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ’s victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere,

 For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which exhales] unto God, [discernible alike] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing: to the latter it is an aroma [wafted] from death to death [a fatal odor, the smell of doom]; to the former it is an aroma from life to life [a vital fragrance, living and fresh]. And who is qualified (fit and sufficient) for these things? [Who is able for such a ministry? We?] For we are not, like so many, [like hucksters making a trade of] peddling God’s Word [shortchanging and adulterating the divine message]; but like [men] of sincerity and the purest motive, as [commissioned and sent] by God, we speak [His message] in Christ (the Messiah), in the [very] sight and presence of God.

Romans 8:31-39 – Christian Standard Bible

The Believer’s Triumph

What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Background

This past semester we learned about the spirit of offense.  Offense is a sin just like worry, gossiping, lying, judging, etc. Sin is missing the mark when it comes to the things of God.  The spirit of offense once identified in your life, begins the process of spiritual inventory of all your natural interactions with others. The Lord revealed to me that these types of spirits are like bodies we carry around weighing us down – like proverbial “monkey on your back”.

“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.” – Luke 11:24-26

The Roman Empire was well known for the ways they carried out the death penalty.  Our Lord and Savior Jesus was sentenced to one of their most gruesome, crucifixion. Another less known tortured death sentence was the strapping of a dead body face-to-face with the criminal or back-to-back.  The key criteria were to have healthy flesh exposed to a decaying body.

“One of the most brutal and deadly practices of the Roman Empire was its treatment of condemned criminals. Those who had committed crimes against the empire were brutalized by being nailed, naked to a cross for all to ridicule, spit on and mock. However, there was still one punishment which was reserved for the worst of the worst which is almost unimaginable for us to think about. Those people who were especially hated for their crimes were sentenced to carry around “dead weight”.

This term has come down through the generations and to us it means to carry that which has no benefit or purpose and actually causes harm. However, to the Romans the term referred to practice of strapping a dead body to a criminal. They were forced to live out there last few weeks in a walking punishment by carrying a maggot infested corpse strapped to their bare back. During the process of decomposition, it slowly leaked poisons into the criminal making them sicker and sicker until they finally died a very slow, painful, stench filled death.”  – William Emmons

We are spirit (our spirit man), soul (mind, will, and emotions) and, body(flesh).  Our soul is the swinging door between the natural and the spiritual realm.  What shows up here in the natural shows up there in the spiritual and vice versa.  Your life is a car (vessel). One of two drivers, either the spirit or the body drives the car, while your soul is always the passenger. 

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

– James 1:13-17

When Holy Spirit is driving, the fruit of the Spirit shows up in the spirit realm and in the natural realm. This is the produce that we want to “cultivate” and “feed” to the world around us…taste and see that the Lord is good. When your body (flesh) is driving, it produces counterfeit fruit that also shows up in both realms. This “fruit” weighs us down like dead bodies.  The potential bodies we carry are:

  • Self-sufficiency
  • Self-pity
  • Solution solver
  • Happiness seeker
  • Busyness
  • Anger
  • Rejection
  • Pride
  • Jealousy
  • Defensiveness
  • Martyr  
  • Depression
  • Isolation
  • Controlling
  • Domineering
  • Ego
  • Pride

No wonder at different points of our lives we feel so weighed down by the circumstances of life. How many of these bodies we have accumulated due to the spirit of offense? The only thing that can separate us from God is ourselves.  In our words and in our actions.  We are made in our likeness of God; we are creative beings…life and death are in the power of the tongue. You have to constantly remind yourself why Jesus came and why the enemy is so busy trying to distract us from that truth.

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). – John 10:10

Rejection happens when the opportunity of offense is presented. Offense is like termites. 

Look at Jesus and the rejection he endured with patience.

  • His family (Matthew 12:46-50)
  • His community (Luke 4:22-30)
  • His friends /co-labors/ associates (Luke 22:54-62)
  • His people (Mark 15:6-15, Luke 9:22, John 1:11)
  • The world (Luke 23:33-35, John 12:44-50)

Despite all the rejection the Lord chose to forgive and complete His purpose and assignment.  He looked past the moment (rejection) on through to eternity. We too have these areas in life – family – friends – community – world (aka social media).  How do we process our rejections? Stumbling happens in these areas when we lack trust in God.  Our growth in the spirit is stunted by our responses to others.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. – Ephesians 6:12

You are not my enemy, the strife that is exists is a manifested mirage to stir up my flesh and steal my peace. “Fear can’t catch what it can no longer reach”.  We can choose to use our physical eyes, or we can choose to use our spiritual eyes. What kind of scent are we giving off to the world a sweet fragrance or an aroma of death?

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads and makes evident everywhere the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which ascends] to God, [discernible both] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the latter one an aroma from death to death [a fatal, offensive odor], but to the other an aroma from life to life [a vital fragrance, living and fresh]. And who is adequate and sufficiently qualified for these things? For we are not like many, [acting like merchants] peddling God’s word [shortchanging and adulterating God’s message]; but from pure [uncompromised] motives, as [commissioned and sent] from God, we speak [His message] in Christ in the sight of God.

 – 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

Refection

  • What “bodies” have you been carrying around?
  • Think back to when this weight/burden began? What circumstance or situation opened the door to the spirt of offense?
  • What other spirits/bodies came in with that spirit of offense?
  • Are these familiar spirits? Are their spirits that you can see a family member?  Could it be something passed down? A generational curse?
  • Sit down with Holy Spirit meditate on the scriptures above and have Him reveal to you the spirits you need serve an eviction notice to. 

‘The most powerful sermon preached is the one that is lived”.  Dr. Jacqueline T. Flowers

People by nature are irritating…

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Matthew 7:1-3 – New King James Version (NKJV)

Judge not, that you be not judged.For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?

John 10:10 – New King James Version (NKJV)

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Reflection:  

Growing up my mother always suggested that I became a teacher. From a practical standpoint choosing a career that would support family centered personal/work life balanced seemed ideal from a stay-at-home mom perspective.

Reflecting at the time as a young adult, I had spent most of my late teens babysitting and children were irritating.  At least with my younger siblings, I had some sort of leverage to get them to behave. Ironically, now years removed and working full time I have found that people may grow up on the outside but are still the same on the inside, children. Granted the older versions of ourselves are slightly different than we were, but the awkward adolescent remains in there somewhere.

We are told in the Bible that once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we become children of the Most High God. We have a new nature, however our flesh is still very much present and very much as annoying as it was before. As we glean revelation from the Word, we start to see all the little irritating things other people do, but we are less likely to turn that same gaze on ourselves.

Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you. Why do you stare from without at the very small particle that is in your brother’s eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam of timber that is in your own eye? – Matthew 7:1-3(AMPC)

So, what is irritation? Irritation is an arousal to impatience or anger. If the root of irritation is anger, then the antidote is love.  If God uses all things for good, then the irritation that we experience is designed to bring to our attention the weakness that we have in ourselves. If we don’t have patience, it may be due to not having enough time in our mind and heart for grace. If we don’t have grace, it may be due to not being able to understand another person’s perspective due to our self-centered view. How do you know you have a self-centered view? When you have relationships in your life that are compartmentalized and shallow. Instead of looking at individuals and circumstances as God’s designed assignments, one picks and chooses what pleases our desires at the moment whereby giving up something greater in the Lord.

Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore his name was called Edom. But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.” And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?” Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.” So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. – Genesis 25:29-33 (NKJV)

If we don’t deal with our irritation and unforgiveness then the Lord will not have mercy with us

Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy! – Matthew 5:7(AMPC)

Now, we all have them in our lives…individuals that act more like children than like adults. Beloved, we must look past the flesh and seek to discover the assignment behind the challenge.

Please hear me Saints, I am not suggesting to randomly take on challenging people.  We have an enemy out there is seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8).  We must have discernment when it comes to a challenging person.  They will serve one of two purposes, the Lord will put them in your life as assignments or then there will be people the devil will put in your path as assassins.

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). John 10:10 (AMPC)

How do we know the difference? Our counselor, the Holy Spirit, will identify these people. When you seek Him concerning why you are irritated you will get revelation as to first your self-centered perspective of the situation and then next if the individual is an assignment from God or a distraction from Satan. The biggest sign is multiplication vs subtraction. If the blessings and the anointing is flowing, there is peace and order in the Lord with that person. If the curses and despair leave you stuck in the same place and sometimes going backward in unrest, you may of made a wrong turn or stayed to long in a situation.  The choice is yours, what will you do with your irritation?   

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Take inventory of your peace with irritation as one of your measures, time is short, and Jesus paid too high a price for us to be spinning our wheels in vain.
    • List the five top people in your life that grate on your soul
    • Ask Holy Spirit what is the root of that irritation? Is it pride, jealousy, judgment?
    • Ask Holy Spirit to identify the people that are specifically a part of your assignment. Please be aware that these maybe seasonal assignments and not lifelong details.
    • Ask Holy Spirit to identify the people that are distractions. Gradually and intentionally limit time spent in these people’s presence.
    • Pray and seek the Lord for help to cultivate what started off as an annoyance into a heart changing experience for all those involved.

He has nothing in me . . .

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

John 14:20 – New King James Version (NKJV)

I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.

John 14:20 – The Passion Translation (TPT)

I won’t speak with you much longer, for the ruler of this dark world is coming. But he has no power over me, for he has nothing to use against me.

John 14:20 – Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

I will not talk with you much more, for the prince (evil genius, ruler) of the world is coming. And he has no claim on Me. [He has nothing in common with Me; there is nothing in Me that belongs to him, and he has no power over Me.]

Ephesians 6:12 – New King James Version (NKJV)

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Reflection:  

There is an individual in my life that has been like an achilles’ heel*(2 Corinthians 12:7).  You know that person or situation that grates on your soul. That no matter how you feel like you have grown in your love walk that person says or does something or you fall back into the same situation. It is like watching the same syndicated sitcom of your life called ‘Get a Rise Out of Your Flesh’.  We all have those struggles. Thank God for Jesus! 

Right before Jesus was imprisoned, He said something that continues to tumble around in my spirit every time I reach the end of myself with challenging people or situations – Jesus said “He has nothing in Me.”  God so loved the world that He sent is only Son to save us. 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14(NKJV)

When Jesus said that he (the devil) had nothing in Him, I think He meant that He didn’t have any practices(works) of the flesh for the enemy could attach himself to.  This included fear. In the New King James version, the phrase ‘fear not’ appears eleven times and ‘do not be afraid’ forty-eight times. One of my most favorite ‘fear not’ citing was the words Jesus spoke to Jairus, let’s look at it in the Passion translation:

 And before he had finished speaking, people arrived from Jairus’ house and pushed through the crowd to give Jairus the news: “There’s no need to trouble the master any longer—your daughter has died.”But Jesus refused to listen to what they were told and said to the Jewish official, “Don’t yield to fear. All you need to do is to keep on believing.” So they left for his home, but Jesus didn’t allow anyone to go with them except Peter and the two brothers, Jacob and John. – Mark 5:35-37

When Jesus walked the earth, He was fully man, and the Holy Spirit was with Him.  When we were born again, we became a new creation in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17) yet kept our fleshly nature. Jesus was tempted in all ways, as we are, but did not sin.  The Word lists out for us the works of the flesh:

Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies), envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. – Galatians 5:19-21 (AMPC)

Fear and the works of the flesh have the same effect in our lives. It chokes out the Word and makes the blessings of God unfruitful.

Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. – Mark 4:18-19 (NKJV)

So, what is the antidote to our flesh sitcom? It is to catch ourselves, STOP talking, and put things in an eternal perspective. Is the attack that we are facing internal (works of the flesh) or external (people/situations)? Our responses should always be in love, if it is not, these thorns will run rampant and choke out the Word in our hearts. If we have something in us that is not from God, it must be prayed on, some behaviors repented, and actions changed to get back in sync with the harmony of heaven, love.       

* Wikipedia defines an achilles’ heel as a weakness in spite of overall strength, which can lead to downfall.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Do you love yourself (Romans 13:8-10)?  Do you think you deserve to be loved? Have you truly accepted God unconditional love?
  • Is there a person or situation that seems to be on repeat? Like a never-ending wilderness season in your life?
  • Seek the Lord as to what are your triggers.  Is it feelings of hopelessness and despair? Control or pride? Fear of loss? Or all the above?
  • When you find yourself in the same mind space, pause, get quiet, and pray.  The devil cannot hear your thoughts, but he can certainly sense the shift in the Spirit when you block out what distracts you from what is truly important . . .that is reaching, the soul(s) in the situation.   

You are just ignorant…

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Proverbs 12:14-16 – New King James Version (NKJV)

A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise. A fool’s wrath is known at once, but a prudent man covers shame.

Mark 2:17 – New King James Version (NKJV)

When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

1 Peter 4:17-19 – New King James Version (NKJV)

For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

Reflection: 

“You are just ignorant”, is a phraseology that is used often in our current political and global climate.  Recently, I had to take a moment to reflect after a high school friend of mine called me ignorant.  I sat down with the Lord and tried to figure out why the comment made me angry. Anger is not a fruit of the Spirit and not something that I wanted to take root in my heart. 

If the truth be told, it was because I have used that same word to describe someone else at some point in time.  Granted not to their face, but that is why long-time friends are in some regard, family. . . no filter whatsoever.     

Ignorant is defined in the Webster dictionary as:

  1. Destitute of knowledge or education, lacking of knowledge or comprehension of the thing specified.
  2. Resulting from or showing a lack of knowledge or intelligence.

For those who know me, I have always had my head in the books.  I have since supplemented that approach with Google and Youtube when I don’t know about something.  When it comes to hot topics, I don’t tend to be adamant on one side or the other.  I am able to see both sides’ perspectives and try to translate points that may seem one-sided to the opposing party.  Yes, there are people that I have described as ignorant, not because they were stupid, but because they were so blind to their viewpoint it was staggering.

Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. – Matthew 7:5(NKJV)

I had another dear friend a couple years ago that told me that when we start following God the obvious sins don’t slip us up anymore.  For example, if we have been delivered of alcohol, we avoid bars. If we don’t go to a bar, we won’t get tempted/caught up with the activities that happen in a bar.  As believers, once we are delivered, we tend to create our own isolated worlds, we go to church/youth group/group fellowships and surround ourselves with like minded people.  This is a good thing, we are following what the Word says:

 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. – Hebrews 10:25 (KJV)

At the same time, we need to be awake and aware that the devil has been using the same playbook since the beginning of time.

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” – Genesis 3:1(NKJV)

The serpent went into Adam’s and Eve’s Eden and eroded the voice of Truth in their souls from the inside out. His objective was to question the foundation of Truth. We as believers tend to cherry pick parts of the Bible that support our viewpoint or support our situation at the moment.  The devil also knows the Word and he always cherry picks it for his purposes when dealing with God’s people. He did it with Jesus in the wilderness.

Then the devil taketh Him up into the holy city, and setteth Him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto Him, if thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, it is written again, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. – Matthew 4:5-7 (KJV)

By creating our own isolated/insolated worlds and eliminating anything that is counter to our viewpoint is like overindulging in one area.  It makes us lazy spiritually and sets us up for temptation and ultimately sin.  For example, King David decided not to go out to war, but stay back in the palace (his Eden) while his troops went out to war. 

And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. 2 Samuel 11:1-4 (KJV)

The devil may tempt us, but we have to own our own choices and repent where applicable.

Don’t let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, “God is trying to trip me up.” God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one’s way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer. – James 1:13(MSG)

If we knowingly stay in the worlds that we create and don’t choose to go out to battle or don’t choose to hold ourselves accountable to our words and our actions, then we will become satisfied with the kingdom we created instead of the Kingdom in which we serve.

Well-spoken words bring satisfaction; well-done work has its own reward. Fools are headstrong and do what they like; wise people take advice. Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly; the prudent quietly shrug off insults. – Proverbs 12:14-16 (MSG) 

I think the righteous and the sinners that Jesus were referring to in Mark 2:17 are one in the same.

But when Jesus overheard their complaint, he said to them, “Who goes to the doctor for a cure? Those who are well or those who are sick? I have not come to call the ‘righteous,’ but those who are sinners and bring them to repentance.” – Mark 2:17 (TPT)

The difference is if an individual chooses to love despite opposing viewpoints. That person is righteous/well. This individual in spite of any circumstance chooses to get up each morning and put down their flesh and pick up their cross to follow Jesus. That same individual can remove themselves from all challenges and potential for spiritual growth by manipulating their circumstances to fit their narrative, whereby isolating themselves in their sickness. It is really very simple. . .are you choosing to be well or sick?      

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • What topics are you adamant about? Your non negotiables. Write them down.
  • Look up at least three scriptures that support your viewpoint. Add them to your list.
  • Now look up the counter arguments to your non negotiables.  Write them down.
  • Look up at least three scriptures concerning love that can be applied to those viewpoints and help you connect to your fellow human being. 

If you are in God, we are on the same team.  We are all ignorant to the Truth at one time or another.  God is faithful when we pray to give us revelation.  Treat family just as kindly as you would a stranger.  Division never ends in peace.

Does Your Narrative Match the Word?

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Proverbs 23:7 – New King James Version (NKJV)

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
“Eat and drink!” he says to you,
But his heart is not with you.

Isaiah 55:8 – New King James Version (NKJV)

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

John 10:10 – New King James Version (NKJV)

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Reflection:  

Years ago, I worked with an older gentleman that most people thought was very gruff.  People often joked that his effort towards his job should be called “close enough construction”.  All my interactions with this gentleman were positive. He was gruff, yet kind and attentive.  He always accomplished the tasks that he did for me in an expeditious fashion, and it was always above and beyond what I asked for.  I often wondered how one person could have two very different perceptions of his work ethic.

For as he thinks within himself, so is he. He will grudgingly say, “Go ahead and eat all you want,” but in his heart he resents the fact that he has to pay for your meal. – Proverbs 23:7(TPT)

We have often heard that perception is reality.  I don’t agree with that.  I think narratives define perceptions/stereotypes and then those perceptions create an alternate reality.  The Word of God is black and white – truth or deception; blessing or curse; heaven or hell.  Man in our infinite knowledge added our perceptions to God’s Word and created a grey area – purgatory, once saved always saved, etc.  With God, there is no darkness.  With God, there is no negotiation.

For my thoughts about mercy are not like your thoughts, and my ways are different from yours. -Isaiah 55:8 (TPT)

There was One voice in the garden, before the serpent came in with a different narrative: 

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” – Genesis 3:1(NKJV)

God’s response was:

Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” – Genesis 3:9-11(NKJV)

It is key what you think.  Your thoughts produce your words and actions.  God is always speaking to us. At the same time, the devil is also sowing seeds of doubt and deception to counter those words.

A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow! – John 10:10 (TPT)

That is why it is imperative to renew our minds every day with God’s Words.  We need to constantly be plucking out the weeds (idle thoughts) in our minds. We need to take every thought captive and apply the Word of God to them (2 Corinthians 10:5).  Studying the life of Jesus as a man, the enemy of our soul(mind) was always present to try to knock Jesus off His course.  Despite all the devil’s attempts our Lord and Savior never sinned (1 Peter 2:22).  It has always been the plan of God that all men be saved (1 Timothy 2:4).  And spoiler alert, He knew that mankind would fail to hold up our end of the covenant. 

Now when God made a promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater than himself, he swore an oath on his own integrity to keep the promise as sure as God exists! So he said, “Have no doubt, I promise to bless you over and over, and give you a son and multiply you without measure!” Hebrews 6:13-14(TPT)

So, if we are going to fail and if the devil is going to constantly be coming around to remind and accuse us of that failure then it is in our best interest to meditate on God’s narrative.  .  .on God’s Words.  As a result, when we hear and then see something that is “close enough” we can quickly identify it as counterfeit.  Let us be lifelong students of the Word of God, and not constantly stumble when we get tested out in the world.  God has pre-destined you to live life in abundance. 

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Make a conscious effort to monitor your self-talk for a week.
  • Write down the three major narratives that you have running around in your mind.
  • Watch to see if your words and actions follow those narratives for a week.
  • Write the actions next to the three major narratives you had previously written down if they apply.
  • Now look in scripture to see if that narrative is in the Word.  If it is not, then that narrative is counterfeit. Rebuke it and seek the Lord for scripture and/or narratives from the Bible to replace that counterfeit narrative. 
  • Meditate daily on that scripture and or narrative from the Bible for thirty days. 

Walk in the light you were given, nothing more, nothing less.

No peace…no go

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Scriptural Foundation:

Hebrews 4:12 New King James Version (NKJV)

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Isaiah 5:20 New King James Version (NKJV)

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Joshua 24:15 New King James Version (NKJV)
And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Reflection:  

The older I get, the more I value stillness.  Not that it is comfortable as I wrestle with my restless thoughts, but it is vital to discern what the Holy Spirit is saying and the direction for the day.  Although the pandemic lock down was challenging on individuals, it forced the world to pause for a moment. As the #outside is trending, the world is speeding back up.  The Lord impressed on me that our lives should not look the same as it did before.  Certain thought processes should have been disturbed to the point of redirection. Like a stream is redirected when it comes upon a sudden obstruction, so our thoughts, words, and actions should be different because we have abided under the shadow of the Almighty.

 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” – Psalm 91:1-2

As Christians, having spent so much time at the feet of our Savior during this world pause, our spirits should reflect His glory.  Sadly, the Church does not seem to have gained as much ground as we should have, instead some have fallen by the wayside (Mark 4:4, Mark 4:15).  Instead of a lifestyle that is set apart and different, we adopt scriptures like catch phrases.  I am sure many of you have this scripture in your homes or up in your churches (I do…got mine from Holly Lobby):

But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord. – Joshua 24:15

I heard once that a person will tell you who they are the first time. I thought that was a strange phrase because it left no room for grace.  However, the more time that passes, I realize that there is always room for grace, but our words and actions proceed us, hence people tell you who they are the first time.  We tell others the condition of our hearts without realizing it. 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.  – Proverbs 1:7

If we don’t have peace in our minds, we will not have peaceful thoughts, those thoughts will produce erratic words, that in turn will manifest in irrational behavior.  The Word of God is there to rightly divide our soul (mind) and spirit(heart). 

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. – Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)

Sometimes our internal struggle is our mind and heart wrestling.  We should never be comfortable with this kind of internal tug of war.  The result, if our mind wins over our heart is that we will call evil good and good evil.   

What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. – Isaiah 5:20 (NLT)

If you sense in your spirit (heart), that there is turmoil in your soul (mind), then don’t move until you have the peace that passes all understanding in your heart (Philippians 4:7).  Remember beloveds that relief is a counterfeit to peace.  Yes, there is a struggle with discernment sometimes and the enemy of our soul comes and provides a perceived alternative to the narrow path that you have been walking on with the Lord. Relief will fade, but peace will always remain. Praise God, even if we miss it the Holy Spirit is always there to lead us back.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Sit down and be still for at least 30mins, before answering these questions.
  • Do you have peace in your spirit (heart)? If not, why?
  • Do you have peace in your soul (mind)?  If not, why? – there is a difference
  • List out the people, places, and/or things that have robbed you of that peace.
  • Present that list to the Holy Spirit and have Him, direct your path back to the peace that passes all understanding.

No accountability, no peace..

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Scriptural Foundation:

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 New King James Version (NKJV)

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

1 Kings 18:21 New King James Version (NKJV)

And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 New King James Version (NKJV)

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Please note: Last week we talked about the Great Apostasy.  It is not a typo in our foundational scriptures, I wanted to revisit a couple of verses in this weeks’ time together.

Reflection:

I love watching the Olympics! Healthy competition and mutual respect among the nations of the world is such a wonderful sight to see. I truly admire all the sacrifice and preparation each person made to earn a spot and represent their country on the world stage. Mental discipline is as much a part of the preparation as the physical. Envisioning victory propels these individuals forward to their personal best.  Do you know as a Believer we are on an undefeated team, representing the greatest Kingdom in eternity?

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,  in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. – Ephesians 2:19-22

Although we are on the same team, we all have our individual races to run. We were placed in THIS moment in time for a SPECIFIC purpose and function FOR the Kingdom. As we draw closer to the end of time, the Bible warns us there will first be a falling away of the Saints.  Then the man of sin will be revealed, and he will go into God’s temple and present himself as if he were God. To be clear, the falling away begins in the church and then a counterfeit individual will present himself to the world as if he is religious. The Bible warns of people like him.

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.  You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. – Matthew 7:15-17

We live in a carnal society that feelings are glorified over spiritual discernment. We are presented with opportunities and things that to the physical eyes looks like good fruit, when it really is rotting on the inside. Presented with so many options the question becomes, how long will you falter between two opinions? God’s word is not multiple choice, it is true or false. God will not present you with many choices to confuse you.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? – Jeremiah 17:9

So, if God does not administer His Word as multiple choice, then how do we discern what is a distraction from the enemy and what are the things that are profitable for a life in Christ?  The only way an athlete gets better is through consistent training and accountability.

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. – 1 Corinthians 9:27

God made us in His image. We were created to be consistent beings, but He also gave us free will to choose.

Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls. – Proverbs 25:28

If we as Believers look at the Word of God as a buffet instead of a full course meal, that is where the excuses come from for the compromises we make. I heard a phrase in college that that ‘excuses are the building blocks to nowhere’.  Which is so true, excuses are not a means to an end, it is just a back alley in a conversation that the person making the excuses takes to deflect.  If applied correctly, the Word through the leading of the Holy Spirit is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. Now that does not sound fun, but it does provide peace that passes all understanding.  If you feel like a peaceful life is alluding you, check if you are holding yourself accountable to the things of God or just auditing the subject matter. Beloved, peace is our gold metal and the only way we will achieve it is through accountability.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Look up the definition of accountability and peace?
  • On a scale of 1-10, for each, rate yourself then ask a trusted friend in the Lord to rate you.
  • What changes can you make to be more accountable to the Word of God?
  • List the things that are holding you back from making those changes?
  • Ask the Holy Spirit to help you regain His peace.

“For this commandment which I command you today isnot too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. – Deuteronomy 30:11-16

Our faith is as strong as our weakest moment…

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Scriptural Foundation:

2 Thessalonians 2 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Great Apostasy

Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

Do you not remember that when I was still with you, I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason, God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Stead Fast

But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

Reflection:  

The last 18-24 months have been the hardest season of my life. A lot of disappointment, a lot of loss, a lot of dysfunction and delusion. Nothing having to do with God but more to do with relationships and interactions with people and reconciling the difference between what I have been studying in the Word of God and what I was seeing in the world around me.

It all started with a great expectancy in my spirit December 2018. And it plunged into a valley of grey.  I know that the God of the mountaintop is the same God of the valley however perspective is one hell of a thing.  I have had to take captive every thought purposely and purposefully that has entered my mind and trace it back to how it got there – eye gates or ear gates. I lived through a season that I felt a drift because I just did not understand what was happening. So, I armored up and looked up and have been standing for a very long time.   

I have realized looking back that I was in a wilderness experience, amplified by our recent global pandemic.  For the first time, my life slowed down to a manageable speed.  Although virtual living has its challenges – the kitchen table being a place we break bread/classroom/home office – it also had its benefits.  It is the little things like doing laundry and having everything put away within the same day.  Planning meals and sitting around the table to enjoy them. Kinda like a non-fancy thanksgiving every night.  I did not realize until the world stopped that I was running on a treadmill at a breakneck speed and there turns out to be a setting for a stroll. Who knew? 

As the world slowly starts ramping up the speed again, I cannot help but think how I do not want to go that fast anymore.  Life becomes a blur when you are not paying attention and you cannot pay attention when your life is running at the speed of light.  It is like sitting in the Adirondacks and then getting transported to Time Square. Wait that sounds familiar…

Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

– Matthew 4:8-11

The devil took Jesus from the physical wilderness He was in, to a high mountain that he could see the kingdoms of the world and asked Him to bow down. Similarly, we are now being asked to compromise on certain things to get things back to “normal”.  These compromises have been causing our minds to be shaken and troubled.  Compromise is the erosion that starts the falling away process.   For those that do not compromise, there is a restraining sense in their spirit like a bit in a horse’s mouth. 

But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

– James 1:25-27

If we are looking in the perfect law of liberty daily, we should not be deceived when God sends the world strong delusions. But the sad truth of the matter is that the Church has become lukewarm and at times looks like the world because it has downed for itself the cloaked of compromise. 

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.  – Revelation 3:15-16

In our foundational passage, we read about the Great Apostasy.  It makes sense that the enemy will use the Church distracted by the speed of life to usher in the son of perdition.  Having the non-committed believers fall away first. This will clear the way for the people that have not known Christ to be swept away in the currant of deception to be lost forever.  

This difficult season has created a lot of weak moments for everyone.  However, we must be constantly checking that we stand fast and hold the traditions which we were taught.  We know that Jesus is coming, right now we should be fighting for each soul that still hangs in the balance.  I heard something several years ago that has stuck with me.  As Christians, we are here to plunder hell and populate heaven and that is only going to happen when our lives – our words and our actions line up with the Word.  Otherwise, it may be our weakest moment that becomes the postage stamp that send someone to hell.  We can enjoy this life, but saints do not lose track of your assignment.   

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • What have you learned about your self during this quiet season?
  • What has disappointed your soul in the wilderness?
  • Have you made some compromises that you have regretted?
  • How do you make your way back to the Lord and your assignment?

If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. – 2 Timothy 2:13

You want the beach body without the work…

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Scriptural Foundation:

1 Corinthians 9:26-27 – New King James Version (NKJV)

 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

2 Timothy 2:14-16 – New King James Version (NKJV)

Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.

Reflection:  

This past Christmas we got our daughters a Barbie Dream house.  While shopping for Barbies, I was delightfully surprised at the wide variety of diversity in the physical representation of the dolls.  There was a doll that had vitiligo, one that had a prosthetic leg and another in a wheelchair.  I loved how I could have the conversation about differences with my children through the medium of play.  The one thing that remained the same, however, was the shape/figureof the dolls.  They all had beach ready bodies, which doesn’t represent most of the population.

The projection of perfection is very much prevalent in all areas of life.  Society objectifies perfection to the point that most of us walk around in shame because we cannot live up to that fictious standard.  We then take that same soulish mind set and apply the Word of God to it.  We think when we come to Jesus, we are expected to be perfect, but the truth is he chose us BECAUSE we were different.  The “beach body” that is not attainable for most of the population in the physical realm can be obtained in the spiritual realm with the Holy Spirit as our guide.  The Bible talks about how we will have a glorified body in eternity.  I do not think body size will matter as much as our words and our actions. 

For the first time in my life, I recently completed an extended fast.  Prior to that, I had been loosely participating in what I thought was fasting for a day or two. Looking back, I was just starving myself without a purpose.  The act of fasting is steeped in our Biblical heritage.  It is done to reset us spiritually to our Heavenly Father like no other activity can do. 

We are spirit, soul, and body.  At any given time, our soul (mind, will, and emotions) is either tied to our spirit or tied to our flesh.  It will always be two against one, and eventually the spirit is leading all three parts, or your flesh is leading all three parts. 

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. – Romans 8:5-6

Fasting is one of those activities mentioned at church, but the Body of Christ is not taught in depth about it.  It is not an activity just for the leadership of a church body.  We are the church saints, the tabernacle of the living God.  It is for each one of us to show this type of reverence and sacrifice onto the Lord.  During the process of fasting, we are starving our flesh and feeding our spirit.  That means not just skipping a meal but using that time for prayer and seeking the Lord.  This brings us to another realization that may be missed…if you are not taking the time to sit and eat but are multitasking every minute of your life you may want to rethink if you are even giving God a quality time offering. 

And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. – Genesis 4:3-5

Do not misunderstand me, there will be seasons of your life that you literally have only time to do a five-minute devotional and take a moment of silence with Him, but that will be your quality offering to the Lord.  Just let your time with Him be focused and authentic. Every year there are pastors and priests that are leaving the ministry in droves. Most burn out or cast out due to falling short. Many thinking in their own physical efforts they are making things happen.

Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. – 1 Corinthians 9:23-27

The life of Jesus is a life of authenticity.  He is the one that is perfect and the rest of us are disciples. That is from the pulpit down.  We are each supposed to seek the face of God and rightly handle the Word of God for ourselves.

Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to [a]strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. – 2 Timothy 2:14-15

Then there are people in church with their plastic façade projecting a narrative that is not true, only to be exposed later themselves when someone gets too close to them. We are all one body in the Spirit, but to attain that connection is going to take some work with the Holy Spirit.  It is in that time that we as many parts become one because there is One Spirit.  The Body of Christ is the one true beach body. 

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by [the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. – 1 Corinthians 12:7-13

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Read Chapter 12 and meditate on it.
  • What part of the Body to you think God created you to be? If you don’t know, pray, ask and seek the Lord.
  • Evaluate your time, are you presenting to the Lord your best in the area of time? Please remember there are different seasons of life and it is not the amount of time, but the quality of that time.

Barren places attract weeds…

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Scriptural Foundation:

Proverbs 10:31 Amplified Bible Classic (AMPC)

The mouths of the righteous (those harmonious with God) bring forth skillful and godly Wisdom, but the perverse tongue shall be cut down [like a barren and rotten tree].

James 1:26 Amplified Bible Classic (AMPC)

If anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religious service is worthless (futile, barren).

Reflection:  

My neighbor has a phenomenal yard. He tirelessly tends to his flower beds morning and evening without fail.  The result, a color symphony with each passing week from spring to fall. It is incredible!

This past year we started the transformation of our front yard by cutting down two large pine trees. (Side note: We literally took them down ourselves with the help of some friends.  I can now add playing a lumber jack on tv to my resume of past experiences…it was so much fun.) 

Almost overnight it changed the look of feel of our house. The two barren spaces those trees left behind garnished so much hope and potential. I was so excited at the prospect of change. My goal was to start a fantastic flower bed of my very own. Instead, life got in the way and these open spaces became overrun by weeds. After my second or third time cleaning up, I found that even weeds varied. Each time I would clear the spaces out, I promised myself that I would start building the garden I dreamed to replace the bareness. The last time, it hit me that I may want the same appearance as my neighbor’s yard, but I had no idea how to start or more importantly I did not have my own vision to accomplish the task.

Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]—blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he. (AMPC)

Along those lines, I can still remember the moment that I accepted the Lord in my heart.  I was at my lowest point in my life.  I did not know what was up and what was down…if I was coming or going.  The vision that I once had for my life suddenly was gone and I had no idea what my future held. 

When we come to the Lord, suddenly we have a clean slate which is a great thing, but at the same time we do not know what to do with it.  So, we pick up our Bible and head to church.  We look to our left and to our right in service and try to model after the people we see in church “doing it right”.  Instead of allowing the Holy Spirt to cast the vision – a tailor made plan – that He has for your seemly barren life we allow the influences of others to provide seedlings in our lives.  Things will grow…things that look like flowers and fruit when really what is happening is, we are filling our barren places with weeds.  How can helping others and serving in church be weed like activity you ask?  Anything done outside the Holy Spirit’s leading even if it is for an individual(s) or your local church could be the wrong entanglements.

Sheol (the place of the dead), the barren womb, the earth that is not satisfied with water, and the fire that says not, It is enough. Proverbs 30:16 (AMPC)

Too many people today are playing church.  Instead of a bountiful garden manicured and maintained by the Holy Spirit, these individuals have a hodgepodge of greener with more thorns than fruit.  They present to the world plastic fruit harvested from a barren soul.  This type of spiritual life is not sustainable and is a detrimental witness for other individuals new to the faith.  We all may look at what other people have and not necessarily with jealousy but want to model after their façade.  By doing that we are stunting our own vision and growth in the Lord.

Now more than ever we must live in God’s truth for our lives.  God has a specific garden He wants to plant in your life. The fruit and blessings gleaned from your life will be used by the Lord in His ways to touch other people’s lives.  Our only assignment is to be content even in the barren seasons and know that God is faithful, and He will plant in His divine timing the seeds that is needed in our lives.

And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity].Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11(AMPC)

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Go back to the last difficult event that happened in your life.  Sit in those feelings for a bit.  Describe that season in detail.
  • Fast forward to today. List all the blessings in your life.  Now truffle (search) the Word of God for the promise that blessing fulfilled in your life.
  • If you cannot find a scripture that exactly matches what you are calling a blessing in your life, then double-check if that is real fruit or plastic fruit.