Category: Galatians 5:22-23

Placeholder or Idol?

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Matthew 7:21-23 – New King James Version (NKJV)

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

James 1:5-8 – New King James Version (NKJV)

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Reflection:  

Church gatherings have evolved into a spectator sport. Another place to be entertained or distracted. Originally the Sabbath was purposed for us to rest from all our work.

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy. – Exodus 20:8-11 (NASB)

The Sabbath was designed for us to stop and just be with the Lord. Instead, it has become an option for most and an obligation for many. Like a loyalty rewards card, many think that their attendance at church is counted and tracked in heaven. These people, their bodies are present, but their minds are on other things

If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides]. – James 1:5-8 (AMPC)

In the same vein, there are others that have made serving in the House of God an idol. They enjoy serving an individual(s)… the pastor or a member of the church leadership. They do whatever they are told and don’t have any thoughts to share or add as to what they may be hearing from the Lord. In both these examples there is no growth or depth in that individual’s relationship with the Lord. All their attention is placed externally rather than internally.

We must all work on our individual/vertical relationship with the Lord. Life is a group activity but not a group project. During group projects, most times one or two people do all the work, and everyone gets the same grade. That is not the case in the spiritual realm, we all will not be getting the same “grade”. We all understand substance recovery accountability programs. These are vital and important outlets for keeping people accountable in the flesh. Going to church should not be a part of a multi-stepped program with the intent of keeping your flesh under control indefinitely. Going to church is the first step to living out what the Lord has revealed to you in your prayer time

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ – Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV)

It is in our personal devotional time that the Lord’s power is given to us. Once this power has been aligned (like a ground for an electrical current) then we are called to go out and light up the world for Jesus. Jesus as our example, He moved in all the giftings for the Spirit. We are to move and have our being in Him meaning our gatherings shouldn’t be gimmicks or clone factories only recognizing certain giftings. Instead, they should be more like community gardens.

18 Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a [a]large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.” – Luke 13:18-19 (NKJV)

In a community garden, plots are not ranked. Each person has access to the same resources and conditions. The people that learn and share with each other have a season with a great harvest year after year. While others that isolate themselves even if it is with a friend, their plots tend not to yield as much due to their limited prospective. Free will is from our Master. It is given to see what we will produce.

For it is like a man who was about to take a long journey, and he called his servants together and entrusted them with his property.To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one—to each in proportion to his own personal ability. Then he departed and left the country. – Matthew 25:14-15(AMPC)

If the people in your life have produced good fruit year after year, decade after decade it may be its time to branch out and help the people you perceive are struggling. As the Lord leads, come alongside them and get your hands dirty. Don’t be surprised if it will ignite in you a new fire.

You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. – Revelation 2:3-5 (NIV)

Gathering with others should be a time of cross pollination we should become better versions of ourselves. There are no rankings in the Body of Christ, we all have the same access and provision from above. What may be lacking spiritually in our lives, a sister or brother in Christ could provide a helping hand and we can do the same for them. That requires that we break out of our well-worn thought patterns and behaviors and allow Holy Spirit to use us as a true instrument of His glory.

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Would you describe your time spent at church or Bible study a placeholder or idol worship?
  • In the last six months how many people have you led to the Lord?
  • In the last six months who have you come along side in one-on-one fellowship that is different from your current inner circle?

If there has been no growth or change in the landscape of your life there is a good chance you fall into one of the two categories. Grab a knee and ask Holy Spirit for revelation as to what needs to change in you personally.

Do you have fresh faith or packaged perfection?

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:
John 1:1-4 New King James Version (NKJV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Reflection:
The success of any healthy lifestyle change begins with what you consume. A daily choice must be made between eating fresh products or substitute in packaged/preservative filled food. It is a lot more convenient to pick from a stack of take out menus than to cook something every night after a long day. And that is only one area of life! We are living in an age like never before…we are consuming things through our eye-gates and ear-gates at a faster rate of speed and sometimes going through a full range of emotions in the space of an hour. Our lives are so cluttered with activities, at times it feels like a check list rather than experiencing life.

It is in this place, even among Believers we hear these words uttered, “I don’t feel like I am Christian enough.” Have you heard someone say this or you have even said this yourself?

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. – Romans 8:1

So, what happened?

“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. – Revelations 2:2-4

Anyone will tell you that they would prefer spending time with the one they love more than any gift in the world. That becomes even more bitter-sweet when a loved one has passed on into glory. God’s love for us has always been the same. He has never been looking for perfection. Jesus took care of that for us. Our Heavenly Father wants to spend time with us. He prepares fresh mana for us each day so that we can go out and win the lost to Christ and encourage our fellow prayer warriors in Him. With the Lord, it has never been about the presentation of one’s life, but the actual Word being lived out through our lives.

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

When Jesus heard this, He said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need of a physician, but [only] those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners [who recognize their sin and humbly seek forgiveness].” Mark 2:17 (AMP)

Individually we can get so caught up with making our lives look perfect – air brushing our sins away – adding and re-moving individuals/situations that seem to make our picture seem messy and cluttered. That should not be our objective. It is when we get so caught up with playing the part of a Christian that we lose the true meaning and impact that the Lord would have us make in the hearts, minds, and lives of others. Packaged Christians don’t grow their harvest, but just maintain what they have. We see in the Gospel of Matthew what the servant with the one talent did:

“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours. – Matthew 25:24-25

The Lord on the other hand wants to bless us abundantly.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
– Ephesians 3:20-21

I challenge all of us this year to dare to take off our concealers and become real with one another in Love (1 John 4:8) for betterment of the Kingdom. Your imperfections are the things that will draw people closer to Christ in your life, through your life. Whether it is a non-believer or a Believer that has fallen by the wayside. The less packaged Christianity there is out there, the more God’s anointing and glory can flow through each of us and the faster Jesus can come back to take us all into true glory! Beloved, do your part and actively chose fresh faith over packaged perfection!

Seeking Revelation:
Grab your notebook:
o Are there situations that you have not seen to completion because it didn’t fit into your personal agenda?
o Are there individuals that the Lord have placed in your heart that are too much at times to deal with? Do they disrupt your well-structured routine?
o Do you feel like you need to be in control of all things you in your life or your children’s life, and if something is not turning out the way you desire, do you either remove yourself from the situation too soon or stay to long?
o Do you lead a life of fresh faith or package perfection?

Have you thrown out your black and white TV yet?

Posted on by Prayer Warriors Advance, LLC

Scriptural Foundation:

Jeremiah 17:9 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally sick! Who can know it [perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind]?

Reflection:

One of the things I took away from my childhood was that emotions were a waste of time. After a couple of emotionally devastating situations, I found out two things about sadness – 1. it didn’t help anything and 2. it HURT.  Not only were emotions distracting, but they overwhelmed me at the most inopportune times.  Instead of compassion, I encountered manipulation.  So, after trying the whole “feelings” thing, I decided I was better off without them. Well that approach serves one well . . . until it doesn’t.

For length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these shall they add to you. Let not mercy and kindness [shutting out all hatred and selfishness] and truth [shutting out all deliberate hypocrisy or falsehood] forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them upon the tablet of your heart. So shall you find favor, good understanding, and high esteem in the sight [or judgment] of God and man. – Proverbs 3:2-4

If one doesn’t allow feelings of sadness then one also doesn’t allow feelings of happiness. Things become black and white and I know now that this view point creates an opening for the devil – i.e. depression or bitterness.  Thinking back, at moments when other people would be glowing with accomplishment, it would be business as usual for me. When others beamed with pride, I would be looking for ways to down play the situation. Like a marching cadence, I just kept it moving- left, left, left, right, left.  My friend from high school nicknamed me the ice queen…who knew they would eventually make a movie about me – Frozen….ok, bad joke.

He winks with his eyes, he speaks by shuffling or tapping with his feet, he makes signs [to mislead and deceive] and teaches with his fingers. Willful and contrary in his heart, he devises trouble, vexation, and evil continually; he lets loose discord and sows it. Therefore upon him shall the crushing weight of calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken, and that without remedy. – Proverbs 6:13-15

Although, I like the tin man in the movie the Wizard of Oz eventually I did find my heart . . . boy did I make up for that lost time.   Stuff that the average person experienced in middle school through high school I experienced all at one time in college. I didn’t totally give up my “under the rock living” – I was still the gal that did that “religious thing”, but I started to experience emotions again. Little did I know the damage that was caused to my spiritual man as to the way I processed past hurts.  Our ladies fellowship group this year is reading a book on the Enemies of the Heart.  Oh boy, talk about unpacking a lot of things that I didn’t know I still had.  It is like cleaning out my parent’s storage locker all over again.

The Lord has made everything [to accommodate itself and contribute] to its own end and His own purpose—even the wicked [are fitted for their role] for the day of calamity and evil. Everyone proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting, hateful, and exceedingly offensive to the Lord; be assured [I pledge it] they will not go unpunished. By mercy and love, truth and fidelity [to God and man—not by sacrificial offerings], iniquity is purged out of the heart, and by the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord men depart from and avoid evil. – Proverbs 16:4-6

Beloved, the Lord allows things in our lives not as punishment but as a bi-product of us setting aside His Word for something that we think is better.  Can I tell you there is nothing better than the plans that the Lord has for you?

Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.] For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. – Ephesians 2:9-10 

I don’t know about you, but I purpose each day to live it in full color! Sure, certain situations are not the most ideal, but Lord knows, I strive to do my best in Him.  You can choose to continue seeing things in black and white – doom and gloom, but it is lot more fun when you read and live out the Word of God in full color.

A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. – Ezekiel 36:26 (If you want to really get excited read the whole chapter!)

Seeking Revelation:

Grab your notebook:

  • Do you have some areas and/or subjects in your life that are off limits?
    • List this painful moments (don’t worry, it is for your eyes only)
  • Are those same barriers creating issues in other areas of your life?
    • Is there any correlation between an off-limit area and another area in your life? (Do you have “puzzle pieces” touching?)
  • Meditate on the Word, seek the Lord, and find scriptures that speak directly to that under developed area in your life.