Hearts Ablaze Corner: Recent Episodes
JOY A PAYNE
Twice, each week, the program, Hearts Ablaze Corner, hosted by Joy A Payne, talks about how to live the optimal, fulfilling life. There is a way to handle the cares of life without becoming overwhelmed and discouraged. We'll talk about how we can ensure that we live our lives on the winning side, seeing our destinies wonderfully realized.
Self-will translates into disobeying God or rebelling against His will. God tells us such rebellion or disobedience is like witchcraft or sorcery. Disobedience, which includes partial obedience, is not a small thing from God’s perspective! There are disastrous consequences, if we insist on pleasing self and disobeying God.
Listen to this episode and, then, let’s pray for God’d grace to walk in obedience.
Listen to this episode on FORGIVENESS. If we desire to walk in freedom, we have to do as God says: Forgive others!
Just a reminder that when our confidence is in God, when we believe our God, we cannot be put to shame! As ones who believe God and His Word, let our ongoing stance be: Shame doesn’t live here anymore!!!
God’s desire is that we not simply stop at hearing His Word or having great knowledge of it. He wants us to obey His Word, walk it out, live it! Listen to this week’s podcast for more.
God’s desire is that we, His children, dwell in unity. We all desire that “blessed life, but the place where He commands blessing is when we choose to live in unity. We cannot afford to have dissension, division, strife, offenses and all their companions rob us. There is too much at stake. Listen to this episode and share with others.
Isaiah 43:19... God is doing a new thing in your life. Do you perceive it? Are you ready for it? Listen to this week’s exhortation and be positioned for the outworking of this new thing!
Too often we are held captive by fear because we take our eyes off God, His character and amazing attributes. How often we seem to forget what He’s done for us and continues to do every single day! Let’s choose to remember, today! Listen to this exhortation and share with others.
As we journey through the ups and downs of life, we need to remember that our steps are ordered. Listen to this week’s exhortation and prayer.
God desires us to be Kingdom seekers. It should be our priority. There are glorious promises, which will be realized when we purpose to do as He tells us in Matt 6:33. Listen to this exhortation and let's end with prayer.
2 Cor 5:20 tells us that we are God's ambassadors, positioned to represent or speak on Jesus' behalf. Our important message is to tell people "Be Reconciled to God!" How the world is in need of this message. Let's hear and respond to God's charge!
Listen to a word of encouragement on PS 55:22 " Unload your burden on Adonai, and He will sustain you. He will never permit the righteous to be moved." CJB
God desires that we release every burden and throw ourselves upon Him, confident that He will uphold us and we will not be put to shame!
When we respond to God, acknowledging that He sent Jesus to die for us; when we confess our sins, repenting as we turn from our wicked ways and rebellion against God, choosing for God to live through us, we are actually answering God's call to be more and more like Jesus. We are laying down our lives for loving, serving and glorifying Him!!! We, the redeemed ones, are set apart for such a ministry of honoring God, daily. This is the Ministry to which we are called! How then do we live in a manner that is worthy of such a call!!! Let's look at this call and the fulfilling of our destiny, in this 4 part series.
When we respond to God, acknowledging that He sent Jesus to die for us; when we confess our sins, repenting as we turn from our wicked ways and rebellion against God, choosing for God to live through us, we are actually answering God's call to be more and more like Jesus. We are laying down our lives for loving, serving and glorifying Him!!! We, the redeemed ones, are set apart for such a ministry of honoring God, daily. This is the Ministry to which we are called! How then do we live in a manner that is worthy of such a call!!! Let's look at this call and the fulfilling of our destiny, in this 4 part series.
When we respond to God, acknowledging that He sent Jesus to die for us; when we confess our sins, repenting as we turn from our wicked ways and rebellion against Him, choosing that God would live through us, we are actually answering His call to be more and more like Jesus. We are laying down our lives for loving, serving and glorifying Him!!! We, the redeemed ones, are set apart for such a ministry of honoring God, daily. This is the Ministry to which we are called! How then do we live in a manner that is worthy of such a call!!! Let's look at this call and the fulfilling of our destiny, in this 4 part series.
When we respond to God, acknowledging that He sent Jesus to die for us; when we confess our sins, repenting as we turn from our wicked ways and rebellion against God, choosing that God lives through us, we are actually answering God's call to be more and more like Jesus. We are laying down our lives for loving, serving and glorifying Him!!! We, the redeemed ones, are set apart for such a Ministry of honoring God, daily. This is the Ministry to which we are called! How then do we live in a manner that is worthy of such a high and holy call!!! Let's look at this call and the fulfilling of our destiny, in this 4 part series.
Words! Words! Words!
Today's message is the first of two short parts, simply called Words, Words, Words! It is a reminder that we must make good use of our words. We cannot afford to give place to empty words or words of death. These must not proceed from our mouth.
Words are important and determine the outcome of our lives. Everything we are today is a result of words and everything we will be in future is a result of the words we choose to speak, today. Right now, you and I are reaping the harvest of words we spoke in the past.
Someone said, "Your words are so important, they set the boundaries of your life. You will never realize anything beyond the words you speak. You will never have anything beyond your own words!
We can speak words of faith that throw petrol on the holy fire upon our lives so that it blazes more and more, or we can pour water to put it out with words when we speak words that are contrary to God's will. The latter gives the enemy of our soul access to our lives and the opportunity to reinforce his will. In this short series, let’s spend some time considering our words and making the choice to use our tongues to bring forth fruit.
Brief exhortation on God’s plan for His children to prosper and live that more abundant life, followed by a prayer against lack.
Words! Words! Words!
Today's message is the first of two short parts, simply called Words, Words, Words! It is a reminder that we must make good use of our words. We cannot afford to give place to empty words or words of death. These must not proceed from our mouth.
Words are important and determine the outcome of our lives. Everything we are today is a result of words and everything we will be in future is a result of the words we choose to speak, today. Right now, you and I are reaping the harvest of words we spoke in the past.
Someone said, "Your words are so important, they set the boundaries of your life. You will never realize anything beyond the words you speak. You will never have anything beyond your own words!
We can speak words of faith that throw petrol on the holy fire upon our lives so that it blazes more and more, or we can pour water to put it out with words when we speak words that are contrary to God's will. The latter gives the enemy of our soul access to our lives and the opportunity to reinforce his will. In this short series, let’s spend some time considering our words and making the choice to use our tongues to bring forth fruit.
This is a 3 part series called: the precious anointing. In this series,we'll look at how the anointing impacts dead things and/or how dead things respond to the anointing.
Let’s begin by considering: Isa 10:27
And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
As you listen to this message, I want you to consider the dead things, the barren things in your lives. Those places, where in spite of the above scripture, the enemy of your soul insists on stealing, by assailing you with barrenness, aridity, losses and varying instances of death.
Anything in our lives that is not functioning as God intends, has some degree of death at work. The enemy generally uses a bit by bit mode, so as we give the enemy a toehold in our lives, bit by bit the enemy works death, taking a little more territory and gaining strength in the targeted areas of our lives. Areas or things targeted for attack include: finances, health, relationships, our spiritual vitality, the lives of our spouses, children, or other family members, and the list continues. Let’s listen and hear the difference the anointing will make in our lives! We cannot be victorious, if we try to function without the precious anointing flooding our lives.
Words! Words! Words!
Today's message is the first of two short parts, simply called Words, Words, Words! It is a reminder that we must make good use of our words. We cannot afford to give place to empty words or words of death. These must not proceed from our mouth.
Words are important and determine the outcome of our lives. Everything we are today is a result of words and everything we will be in future is a result of the words we choose to speak, today. Right now, you and I are reaping the harvest of words we spoke in the past.
Someone said, "Your words are so important, they set the boundaries of your life. You will never realize anything beyond the words you speak. You will never have anything beyond your own words!
We can speak words of faith that throw petrol on the holy fire upon our lives so that it blazes more and more, or we can pour water to put it out with words when we speak words that are contrary to God's will. The latter gives the enemy of our soul access to our lives and the opportunity to reinforce his will. In this short series, let’s spend some time considering our words and making the choice to use our tongues to bring forth fruit.
This is a 3 part series called: the precious anointing. In this series,we'll look at how the anointing impacts dead things and/or how dead things respond to the anointing.
Let’s begin by considering: Isa 10:27
And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
As you listen to this message, I want you to consider the dead things, the barren things in your lives. Those places, where in spite of the above scripture, the enemy of your soul insists on stealing, by assailing you with barrenness, aridity, losses and varying instances of death.
Anything in our lives that is not functioning as God intends, has some degree of death at work. The enemy generally uses a bit by bit mode, so as we give the enemy a toehold in our lives, bit by bit the enemy works death, taking a little more territory and gaining strength in the targeted areas of our lives. Areas or things targeted for attack include: finances, health, relationships, our spiritual vitality, the lives of our spouses, children, or other family members, and the list continues. Let’s listen and hear the difference the anointing will make in our lives! We cannot be victorious, if we try to function without the precious anointing flooding our lives.
This is a 3 part series called: the precious anointing. In this series,we'll look at how the anointing impacts dead things and/or how dead things respond to the anointing.
Let’s begin by considering: Isa 10:27
And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
As you listen to this message, I want you to consider the dead things, the barren things in your lives. Those places, where in spite of the above scripture, the enemy of your soul insists on stealing, by assailing you with barrenness, aridity, losses and varying instances of death.
Anything in our lives that is not functioning as God intends, has some degree of death at work. The enemy generally uses a bit by bit mode, so as we give the enemy a toehold in our lives, bit by bit the enemy works death, taking a little more territory and gaining strength in the targeted areas of our lives. Areas or things targeted for attack include: finances, health, relationships, our spiritual vitality, the lives of our spouses, children, or other family members, and the list continues. Let’s listen and hear the difference the anointing will make in our lives! We cannot be victorious, if we try to function without the precious anointing flooding our lives.
This is a 3 part series called: the precious anointing. In this series,we'll look at how the anointing impacts dead things and/or how dead things respond to the anointing.
Let’s begin by considering: Isa 10:27
And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
As you listen to this message, I want you to consider the dead things, the barren things in your lives. Those places, where in spite of the above scripture, the enemy of your soul insists on stealing, by assailing you with barrenness, aridity, losses and varying instances of death.
Anything in our lives that is not functioning as God intends, has some degree of death at work. The enemy generally uses a bit by bit mode, so as we give the enemy a toehold in our lives, bit by bit the enemy works death, taking a little more territory and gaining strength in the targeted areas of our lives. Areas or things targeted for attack include: finances, health, relationships, our spiritual vitality, the lives of our spouses, children, or other family members, and the list continues. Let’s listen and hear the difference the anointing will make in our lives! We cannot be victorious, if we try to function without the precious anointing flooding our lives.
This five part series: Praise and Your Victory, will help us see the correlation between praising God and walking in victory, continually. Praising God is spiritual health made audible. In other words, spiritually healthy people are not afraid to be loud, vocal, undignified praisers of God. Too often, we overlook praise and we fail to give it its rightful place in our lives. We, at least, attempt to pray every day but do we, also, see the need to praise God, every day. Praise helps to draw us closer to God, but when we are outside of God's perfect plan for our lives, when our lives are not in alignment with God's will, we do not have the desire to praise Him. We actually avoid doing so. We need to truly hear Psalm 22:3, “God, You are the holy One. You sit as King upon the praises of israel.” God loves our praise. He inhabits the praises of His people. When we bring and keep God, our Jehovah Nissi, enthroned in our hearts; when praising God becomes our lifestyle, victory is assured.
This five part series: Praise and Your Victory, will help us see the correlation between praising God and walking in victory, continually. Praising God is spiritual health made audible. In other words, spiritually healthy people are not afraid to be loud, vocal, undignified praisers of God. Too often, we overlook praise and we fail to give it its rightful place in our lives. We, at least, attempt to pray every day but do we, also, see the need to praise God, every day. Praise helps to draw us closer to God, but when we are outside of God's perfect plan for our lives, when our lives are not in alignment with God's will, we do not have the desire to praise Him. We actually avoid doing so. We need to truly hear Psalm 22:3, “God, You are the holy One. You sit as King upon the praises of israel.” God loves our praise. He inhabits the praises of His people. When we bring and keep God, our Jehovah Nissi, enthroned in our hearts; when praising God becomes our lifestyle, victory is assured.
This five part series: Praise and Your Victory, will help us see the correlation between praising God and walking in victory, continually. Praising God is spiritual health made audible. In other words, spiritually healthy people are not afraid to be loud, vocal, undignified praisers of God. Too often, we overlook praise and we fail to give it its rightful place in our lives. We, at least, attempt to pray every day but do we, also, see the need to praise God, every day. Praise helps to draw us closer to God, but when we are outside of God's perfect plan for our lives, when our lives are not in alignment with God's will, we do not have the desire to praise Him. We actually avoid doing so. We need to truly hear Psalm 22:3, “God, You are the holy One. You sit as King upon the praises of israel.” God loves our praise. He inhabits the praises of His people. When we bring and keep God, our Jehovah Nissi, enthroned in our hearts; when praising God becomes our lifestyle, victory is assured.
This five part series: Praise and Your Victory, will help us see the correlation between praising God and walking in victory, continually. Praising God is spiritual health made audible. In other words, spiritually healthy people are not afraid to be loud, vocal, undignified praisers of God. Too often, we overlook praise and we fail to give it its rightful place in our lives. We, at least, attempt to pray every day but do we, also, see the need to praise God, every day. Praise helps to draw us closer to God, but when we are outside of God's perfect plan for our lives, when our lives are not in alignment with God's will, we do not have the desire to praise Him. We actually avoid doing so. We need to truly hear Psalm 22:3, “God, You are the holy One. You sit as King upon the praises of israel.” God loves our praise. He inhabits the praises of His people. When we bring and keep God, our Jehovah Nissi, enthroned in our hearts; when praising God becomes our lifestyle, victory is assured.
2 Timothy 3:12: “Indeed, all who delight in pursuing righteousness and are determined to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be hunted and persecuted because of their faith” makes it clear that believers are at war. If we determine to live godly lives, we will be hunted and persecuted. We are targeted by the kingdom of darkness, which uses all types of instruments to wage war against us. This means we HAVE to engage in warfare. In this episode we'll consider God's role in this battle, and we’ve entitled this message: Let God!
This five part series: Praise and Your Victory, will help us see the correlation between praising God and walking in victory, continually. Praising God is spiritual health made audible. In other words, spiritually healthy people are not afraid to be loud, vocal, undignified praisers of God. Too often, we overlook praise and we fail to give it its rightful place in our lives. We, at least, attempt to pray every day but do we, also, see the need to praise God, every day. Praise helps to draw us closer to God, but when we are outside of God's perfect plan for our lives, when our lives are not in alignment with God's will, we do not have the desire to praise Him. We actually avoid doing so. We need to truly hear Psalm 22:3, “God, You are the holy One. You sit as King upon the praises of israel.” God loves our praise. He inhabits the praises of His people. When we bring and keep God, our Jehovah Nissi, enthroned in our hearts; when praising God becomes our lifestyle, victory is assured.
This five part series: Praise and Your Victory, will help us see the correlation between praising God and walking in victory, continually. Praising God is spiritual health made audible. In other words, spiritually healthy people are not afraid to be loud, vocal, undignified praisers of God. Too often, we overlook praise and we fail to give it its rightful place in our lives. We, at least, attempt to pray every day but do we, also, see the need to praise God, every day. Praise helps to draw us closer to God, but when we are outside of God's perfect plan for our lives, when our lives are not in alignment with God's will, we do not have the desire to praise Him. We actually avoid doing so. We need to truly hear Psalm 22:3, “God, You are the holy One. You sit as King upon the praises of israel.” God loves our praise. He inhabits the praises of His people. When we bring and keep God, our Jehovah Nissi, enthroned in our hearts; when praising God becomes our lifestyle, victory is assured.
2 Timothy 3:12: “Indeed, all who delight in pursuing righteousness and are determined to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be hunted and persecuted because of their faith” makes it clear that believers are at war. If we determine to live godly lives, we will be hunted and persecuted. We are targeted by the kingdom of darkness, which uses all types of instruments to wage war against us. This means we HAVE to engage in warfare. In this episode we'll consider God's role in this battle, and we’ve entitled this message: Let God!
The Warrior's Stance is a 6 part series about praying, strategically. We’ll talk about striking an offensive stance, fighting and taking back stolen things by force, as we are told in Matt 11:12... “ From the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.” NASB
It is very clear that God expects us to wage war against the kingdom of darkness, taking what has been stolen or bringing to an end every devilish ambush/attack, using spiritual might and violence. We have to stand up and fight for our inheritance and destiny! We have to fight. We are told to take by force. This means that God has equipped us to be spiritually violent and to be the victors. He never tells us to do anything that we have not been equipped or empowered to do.
God has given us power and authority, much more than we can imagine and, definitely, much more than we are using. In this series, we’ll consider four requirements, to access and utilize this power, this authority, and to live our lives as formidable warriors. It’s time to take by force!
The Warrior's Stance is a 6 part series about praying, strategically. We’ll talk about striking an offensive stance, fighting and taking back stolen things by force, as we are told in Matt 11:12... “ From the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.” NASB
It is very clear that God expects us to wage war against the kingdom of darkness, taking what has been stolen or bringing to an end every devilish ambush/attack, using spiritual might and violence. We have to stand up and fight for our inheritance and destiny! We have to fight. We are told to take by force. This means that God has equipped us to be spiritually violent and to be the victors. He never tells us to do anything that we have not been equipped or empowered to do.
God has given us power and authority, much more than we can imagine and, definitely, much more than we are using. In this series, we’ll consider four requirements, to access and utilize this power, this authority, and to live our lives as formidable warriors. It’s time to take by force!
The Warrior's Stance is a 6 part series about praying, strategically. We’ll talk about striking an offensive stance, fighting and taking back stolen things by force, as we are told in Matt 11:12... “ From the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.” NASB
It is very clear that God expects us to wage war against the kingdom of darkness, taking what has been stolen or bringing to an end every devilish ambush/attack, using spiritual might and violence. We have to stand up and fight for our inheritance and destiny! We have to fight. We are told to take by force. This means that God has equipped us to be spiritually violent and to be the victors. He never tells us to do anything that we have not been equipped or empowered to do.
God has given us power and authority, much more than we can imagine and, definitely, much more than we are using. In this series, we’ll consider four requirements, to access and utilize this power, this authority, and to live our lives as formidable warriors. It’s time to take by force!
The tongue is in our mouth and it's a very powerful instrument. It's also a weapon that can work for us, or against us. Our tongue can enlarge our coasts and those of others or destroy our destiny and that of others. In this two part series, we’ll consider both the negative side: how our tongue can work against us and we'll end on a positive note: God's intent for the use of our tongue.
Too often, we disregard how we use words, using many and in a very flippant and/or destructive manner. In doing so, we are providing the enemy with ammunition to use against us. We are shooting ourselves in the foot with our words.
Matt 12:34 tells us that words are the overflow of our heart. Words flow from our heart and they tell who we are. They betray the state of our heart. If we listen to our words and those of others, we will know what is in our heart and in that of others.
Our words create an atmosphere, an environment, which will either sustain our life and nourish us, or will cause us to wither like a plant without water. What’s in our mouth is more important than we realize, as it helps to define the course of “lives.” Join us as we talk about what’s in our mouth!
The Warrior's Stance is a 6 part series about praying, strategically. We’ll talk about striking an offensive stance, fighting and taking back stolen things by force, as we are told in Matt 11:12... “ From the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.” NASB
It is very clear that God expects us to wage war against the kingdom of darkness, taking what has been stolen or bringing to an end every devilish ambush/attack, using spiritual might and violence. We have to stand up and fight for our inheritance and destiny! We have to fight. We are told to take by force. This means that God has equipped us to be spiritually violent and to be the victors. He never tells us to do anything that we have not been equipped or empowered to do.
God has given us power and authority, much more than we can imagine and, definitely, much more than we are using. In this series, we’ll consider four requirements, to access and utilize this power, this authority, and to live our lives as formidable warriors. It’s time to take by force!
The Warrior's Stance is a 6 part series about praying, strategically. We’ll talk about striking an offensive stance, fighting and taking back stolen things by force, as we are told in Matt 11:12... “ From the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.” NASB
It is very clear that God expects us to wage war against the kingdom of darkness, taking what has been stolen or bringing to an end every devilish ambush/attack, using spiritual might and violence. We have to stand up and fight for our inheritance and destiny! We have to fight. We are told to take by force. This means that God has equipped us to be spiritually violent and to be the victors. He never tells us to do anything that we have not been equipped or empowered to do.
God has given us power and authority, much more than we can imagine and, definitely, much more than we are using. In this series, we’ll consider four requirements, to access and utilize this power, this authority, and to live our lives as formidable warriors. It’s time to take by force!
The Warrior's Stance is a 6 part series about praying, strategically. We’ll talk about striking an offensive stance, fighting and taking back stolen things by force, as we are told in Matt 11:12... “ From the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.” NASB
It is very clear that God expects us to wage war against the kingdom of darkness, taking what has been stolen or bringing to an end every devilish ambush/attack, using spiritual might and violence. We have to stand up and fight for our inheritance and destiny! We have to fight. We are told to take by force. This means that God has equipped us to be spiritually violent and to be the victors. He never tells us to do anything that we have not been equipped or empowered to do.
God has given us power and authority, much more than we can imagine and, definitely, much more than we are using. In this series, we’ll consider four requirements, to access and utilize this power, this authority, and to live our lives as formidable warriors. It’s time to take by force!
The Warrior's Stance is a 6 part series about praying, strategically. We’ll talk about striking an offensive stance, fighting and taking back stolen things by force, as we are told in Matt 11:12... “ From the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.” NASB
It is very clear that God expects us to wage war against the kingdom of darkness, taking what has been stolen or bringing to an end every devilish ambush/attack, using spiritual might and violence. We have to stand up and fight for our inheritance and destiny! We have to fight. We are told to take by force. This means that God has equipped us to be spiritually violent and to be the victors. He never tells us to do anything that we have not been equipped or empowered to do.
God has given us power and authority, much more than we can imagine and, definitely, much more than we are using. In this series, we’ll consider four requirements, to access and utilize this power, this authority, and to live our lives as formidable warriors. It’s time to take by force!
The tongue is in our mouth and it's a very powerful instrument. It's also a weapon that can work for us, or against us. Our tongue can enlarge our coasts and those of others or destroy our destiny and that of others. In this two part series, we’ll consider both the negative side: how our tongue can work against us and we'll end on a positive note: God's intent for the use of our tongue.
Too often, we disregard how we use words, using many and in a very flippant and/or destructive manner. In doing so, we are providing the enemy with ammunition to use against us. We are shooting ourselves in the foot with our words.
Matt 12:34 tells us that words are the overflow of our heart. Words flow from our heart and they tell who we are. They betray the state of our heart. If we listen to our words and those of others, we will know what is in our heart and in that of others.
Our words create an atmosphere, an environment, which will either sustain our life and nourish us, or will cause us to wither like a plant without water. What’s in our mouth is more important than we realize, as it helps to define the course of “lives.” Join us as we talk about what’s in our mouth!
The tongue is in our mouth and it's a very powerful instrument. It's also a weapon that can work for us, or against us. Our tongue can enlarge our coasts and those of others or destroy our destiny and that of others. In this two part series, we’ll consider both the negative side: how our tongue can work against us and we'll end on a positive note: God's intent for the use of our tongue.
Too often, we disregard how we use words, using many and in a very flippant and/or destructive manner. In doing so, we are providing the enemy with ammunition to use against us. We are shooting ourselves in the foot with our words.
Matt 12:34 tells us that words are the overflow of our heart. Words flow from our heart and they tell who we are. They betray the state of our heart. If we listen to our words and those of others, we will know what is in our heart and in that of others.
Our words create an atmosphere, an environment, which will either sustain our life and nourish us, or will cause us to wither like a plant without water. What’s in our mouth is more important than we realize, as it helps to define the course of “lives.” Join us as we talk about what’s in our mouth!
This six part series is: The Flow. We’ll consider the River of God flowing within us, as is promised in John 7:37-38... On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “if anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
Picture the River of God, needing space within us to operate. How do we make space in our being for this River?
We'll talk about three things that help to "free up" space for the Holy Spirit to operate, or for the River of God to flow within us. These are: brokenness, dependence upon God and yieldedness.
We have to be vigilant, making sure that we are not being distracted. We must not allow the enemy of our soul/the kingdom of darkness to oppress and deceive us, using rights we give them, wittingly or unwittingly, to occupy space meant only for the Holy Spirit. One sad result is that the flow is restricted and our lives tell the tale!
This six part series is: The Flow. We’ll consider the River of God flowing within us, as is promised in John 7:37-38... On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “if anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
Picture the River of God, needing space within us to operate. How do we make space in our being for this River?
We'll talk about three things that help to "free up" space for the Holy Spirit to operate, or for the River of God to flow within us. These are: brokenness, dependence upon God and yieldedness.
We have to be vigilant, making sure that we are not being distracted. We must not allow the enemy of our soul/the kingdom of darkness to oppress and deceive us, using rights we give them, wittingly or unwittingly, to occupy space meant only for the Holy Spirit. One sad result is that the flow is restricted and our lives tell the tale!
This six part series is: The Flow. We’ll consider the River of God flowing within us, as is promised in John 7:37-38... On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “if anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
Picture the River of God, needing space within us to operate. How do we make space in our being for this River?
We'll talk about three things that help to "free up" space for the Holy Spirit to operate, or for the River of God to flow within us. These are: brokenness, dependence upon God and yieldedness.
We have to be vigilant, making sure that we are not being distracted. We must not allow the enemy of our soul/the kingdom of darkness to oppress and deceive us, using rights we give them, wittingly or unwittingly, to occupy space meant only for the Holy Spirit. One sad result is that the flow is restricted and our lives tell the tale!
This six part series is: The Flow. We’ll consider the River of God flowing within us, as is promised in John 7:37-38... On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “if anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
Picture the River of God, needing space within us to operate. How do we make space in our being for this River?
We'll talk about three things that help to "free up" space for the Holy Spirit to operate, or for the River of God to flow within us. These are: brokenness, dependence upon God and yieldedness.
We have to be vigilant, making sure that we are not being distracted. We must not allow the enemy of our soul/the kingdom of darkness to oppress and deceive us, using rights we give them, wittingly or unwittingly, to occupy space meant only for the Holy Spirit. One sad result is that the flow is restricted and our lives tell the tale!
This six part series is: The Flow. We’ll consider the River of God flowing within us, as is promised in John 7:37-38... On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “if anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
Picture the River of God, needing space within us to operate. How do we make space in our being for this River?
We'll talk about three things that help to "free up" space for the Holy Spirit to operate, or for the River of God to flow within us. These are: brokenness, dependence upon God and yieldedness.
We have to be vigilant, making sure that we are not being distracted. We must not allow the enemy of our soul/the kingdom of darkness to oppress and deceive us, using rights we give them, wittingly or unwittingly, to occupy space meant only for the Holy Spirit. One sad result is that the flow is restricted and our lives tell the tale!
This six part series is: The Flow. We’ll consider the River of God flowing within us, as is promised in John 7:37-38... On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “if anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
Picture the River of God, needing space within us to operate. How do we make space in our being for this River?
We'll talk about three things that help to "free up" space for the Holy Spirit to operate, or for the River of God to flow within us. These are: brokenness, dependence upon God and yieldedness.
We have to be vigilant, making sure that we are not being distracted. We must not allow the enemy of our soul/the kingdom of darkness to oppress and deceive us, using rights we give them, wittingly or unwittingly, to occupy space meant only for the Holy Spirit. One sad result is that the flow is restricted and our lives tell the tale!
This six part series is: The Flow. We’ll consider the River of God flowing within us, as is promised in John 7:37-38... On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “if anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
Picture the River of God, needing space within us to operate. How do we make space in our being for this River?
We'll talk about three things that help to "free up" space for the Holy Spirit to operate, or for the River of God to flow within us. These are: brokenness, dependence upon God and yieldedness.
We have to be vigilant, making sure that we are not being distracted. We must not allow the enemy of our soul/the kingdom of darkness to oppress and deceive us, using rights we give them, wittingly or unwittingly, to occupy space meant only for the Holy Spirit. One sad result is that the flow is restricted and our lives tell the tale!
Constant prayer is necessary to win battles. Jesus tells his disciples in Luke 18:1 “.... they ought to pray and not give up and lose heart.” We are to "continue in prayer." The Greek word for “continue” speaks of persistence and constancy. When I think of persevering in prayer, I imagine my importunity opening the door wide and escorting the answer to my prayers.
Being constant or persevering in prayer also means that when seeming insurmountable mountains arise, we know that prayer is the place where mountains are scaled or leveled. Mountains become plains at the place of prayer!
Jesus said men are always, always, always to pray. Prayer, therefore, must run through every season of our lives. In the dark times or in Winter, pray! It feels like Springtime and God is doing some new, amazing things, pray! It is Summer time and real sunny, pray! It feels like Fall, pray! Pray! Pray! Pray!
We cannot afford to faint. God wants fervent, passionate prayer flowing from us. Jesus emphasized prayer. This is not something He simply told his disciples to do. He lived prayer. He breathed it. He prayed at all times, never fainting. The result: evil plans against Him were brought to naught. He was living out His Father's will, gaining the victories, not only for Himself, but for us all.
We are to emulate Jesus. Prayer is, indeed, the place where battles are won! It’s time to persevere in prayer. There are battles to be won!
I've come to realize that our gaze determines whether we walk in victory or not. The word “gaze” means staring, looking intently and steadily. When we think of our looking upon Jehovah, we can define “ gaze” as, the habitual long, lingering look of awestruck wonder.
David was a God-gazer, so was Elisha, great examples in the Old Testament. David saw the big giant, and his strong army, but he also saw something even bigger. He saw the bigness of God: bigger than any giant, stronger than any enemy, greater than any army. David saw the armies Jehovah Sabaoth command, and he was emboldened. There was no comparison between his God and the uncircumcised heathen, Goliath. Elisha, when surrounded by the enemy, knew that there were more for him than against him. We see their fruitful lives and the authority they wielded because their gaze was right. What about us, today?
I believe there is one primary reason why we are not fervent and consistent in prayer. Our gaze is really not upon God! For example, we have not gazed upon God long enough to even see him as the Omnipotent One with limitless resources, made available to us. Does PS 18 make us leap with joy?
If our eyes are not fixed on God, if we have a penchant, a tendency, of moving our sight from God to circumstances, wavering between healthy life giving feelings and thoughts to deceptive ones, struggling between embracing God’s counsel and the voice of stranger(s) with their unwise, deadly chatter, we'll find ourselves traveling along crooked paths of defeat.
In this four part series, we’ll talk about keeping our eyes riveted upon God, which will determine the outcome of our lives.
Constant prayer is necessary to win battles. Jesus tells his disciples in Luke 18:1 “.... they ought to pray and not give up and lose heart.” We are to "continue in prayer." The Greek word for “continue” speaks of persistence and constancy. When I think of persevering in prayer, I imagine my importunity opening the door wide and escorting the answer to my prayers.
Being constant or persevering in prayer also means that when seeming insurmountable mountains arise, we know that prayer is the place where mountains are scaled or leveled. Mountains become plains at the place of prayer!
Jesus said men are always, always, always to pray. Prayer, therefore, must run through every season of our lives. In the dark times or in Winter, pray! It feels like Springtime and God is doing some new, amazing things, pray! It is Summer time and real sunny, pray! It feels like Fall, pray! Pray! Pray! Pray!
We cannot afford to faint. God wants fervent, passionate prayer flowing from us. Jesus emphasized prayer. This is not something He simply told his disciples to do. He lived prayer. He breathed it. He prayed at all times, never fainting. The result: evil plans against Him were brought to naught. He was living out His Father's will, gaining the victories, not only for Himself, but for us all.
We are to emulate Jesus. Prayer is, indeed, the place where battles are won! It’s time to persevere in prayer. There are battles to be won!
Many claim that they are walking by faith but they are doing so with closed eyes. Their spiritual eyes are closed. This is an outright disconnect. It is not in line with God's intent, because walking by faith means our spiritual eyes must be wide open.
Spiritual blindness means no revelation or limited revelation. It means satanic accessibility. Such blindness or poor sight diminishes or steals from a person's well being. Lack, discouragement, poor health are all linked to spiritual blindness. We need our eyes opened. We need to know truth. We need the Word of God to come alive in us. We need to see.
Constant prayer is necessary to win battles. Jesus tells his disciples in Luke 18:1 “.... they ought to pray and not give up and lose heart.” We are to "continue in prayer." The Greek word for “continue” speaks of persistence and constancy. When I think of persevering in prayer, I imagine my importunity opening the door wide and escorting the answer to my prayers.
Being constant or persevering in prayer also means that when seeming insurmountable mountains arise, we know that prayer is the place where mountains are scaled or leveled. Mountains become plains at the place of prayer!
Jesus said men are always, always, always to pray. Prayer, therefore, must run through every season of our lives. In the dark times or in Winter, pray! It feels like Springtime and God is doing some new, amazing things, pray! It is Summer time and real sunny, pray! It feels like Fall, pray! Pray! Pray! Pray!
We cannot afford to faint. God wants fervent, passionate prayer flowing from us. Jesus emphasized prayer. This is not something He simply told his disciples to do. He lived prayer. He breathed it. He prayed at all times, never fainting. The result: evil plans against Him were brought to naught. He was living out His Father's will, gaining the victories, not only for Himself, but for us all.
We are to emulate Jesus. Prayer is, indeed, the place where battles are won! It’s time to persevere in prayer. There are battles to be won!
Constant prayer is necessary to win battles. Jesus tells his disciples in Luke 18:1 “.... they ought to pray and not give up and lose heart.” We are to "continue in prayer." The Greek word for “continue” speaks of persistence and constancy. When I think of persevering in prayer, I imagine my importunity opening the door wide and escorting the answer to my prayers.
Being constant or persevering in prayer also means that when seeming insurmountable mountains arise, we know that prayer is the place where mountains are scaled or leveled. Mountains become plains at the place of prayer!
Jesus said men are always, always, always to pray. Prayer, therefore, must run through every season of our lives. In the dark times or in Winter, pray! It feels like Springtime and God is doing some new, amazing things, pray! It is Summer time and real sunny, pray! It feels like Fall, pray! Pray! Pray! Pray!
We cannot afford to faint. God wants fervent, passionate prayer flowing from us. Jesus emphasized prayer. This is not something He simply told his disciples to do. He lived prayer. He breathed it. He prayed at all times, never fainting. The result: evil plans against Him were brought to naught. He was living out His Father's will, gaining the victories, not only for Himself, but for us all.
We are to emulate Jesus. Prayer is, indeed, the place where battles are won! It’s time to persevere in prayer. There are battles to be won!
I've come to realize that our gaze determines whether we walk in victory or not. The word “gaze” means staring, looking intently and steadily. When we think of our looking upon Jehovah, we can define “ gaze” as, the habitual long, lingering look of awestruck wonder.
David was a God-gazer, so was Elisha, great examples in the Old Testament. David saw the big giant, and his strong army, but he also saw something even bigger. He saw the bigness of God: bigger than any giant, stronger than any enemy, greater than any army. David saw the armies Jehovah Sabaoth command, and he was emboldened. There was no comparison between his God and the uncircumcised heathen, Goliath. Elisha, when surrounded by the enemy, knew that there were more for him than against him. We see their fruitful lives and the authority they wielded because their gaze was right. What about us, today?
I believe there is one primary reason why we are not fervent and consistent in prayer. Our gaze is really not upon God! For example, we have not gazed upon God long enough to even see him as the Omnipotent One with limitless resources, made available to us. Does PS 18 make us leap with joy?
If our eyes are not fixed on God, if we have a penchant, a tendency, of moving our sight from God to circumstances, wavering between healthy life giving feelings and thoughts to deceptive ones, struggling between embracing God’s counsel and the voice of stranger(s) with their unwise, deadly chatter, we'll find ourselves traveling along crooked paths of defeat.
In this four part series, we’ll talk about keeping our eyes riveted upon God, which will determine the outcome of our lives.
I've come to realize that our gaze determines whether we walk in victory or not. The word “gaze” means staring, looking intently and steadily. When we think of our looking upon Jehovah, we can define “ gaze” as, the habitual long, lingering look of awestruck wonder.
David was a God-gazer, so was Elisha, great examples in the Old Testament. David saw the big giant, and his strong army, but he also saw something even bigger. He saw the bigness of God: bigger than any giant, stronger than any enemy, greater than any army. David saw the armies Jehovah Sabaoth command, and he was emboldened. There was no comparison between his God and the uncircumcised heathen, Goliath. Elisha, when surrounded by the enemy, knew that there were more for him than against him. We see their fruitful lives and the authority they wielded because their gaze was right. What about us, today?
I believe there is one primary reason why we are not fervent and consistent in prayer. Our gaze is really not upon God! For example, we have not gazed upon God long enough to even see him as the Omnipotent One with limitless resources, made available to us. Does PS 18 make us leap with joy?
If our eyes are not fixed on God, if we have a penchant, a tendency, of moving our sight from God to circumstances, wavering between healthy life giving feelings and thoughts to deceptive ones, struggling between embracing God’s counsel and the voice of stranger(s) with their unwise, deadly chatter, we'll find ourselves traveling along crooked paths of defeat.
In this four part series, we’ll talk about keeping our eyes riveted upon God, which will determine the outcome of our lives.
I've come to realize that our gaze determines whether we walk in victory or not. The word “gaze” means staring, looking intently and steadily. When we think of our looking upon Jehovah, we can define “ gaze” as, the habitual long, lingering look of awestruck wonder.
David was a God-gazer, so was Elisha, great examples in the Old Testament. David saw the big giant, and his strong army, but he also saw something even bigger. He saw the bigness of God: bigger than any giant, stronger than any enemy, greater than any army. David saw the armies Jehovah Sabaoth command, and he was emboldened. There was no comparison between his God and the uncircumcised heathen, Goliath. Elisha, when surrounded by the enemy, knew that there were more for him than against him. We see their fruitful lives and the authority they wielded because their gaze was right. What about us, today?
I believe there is one primary reason why we are not fervent and consistent in prayer. Our gaze is really not upon God! For example, we have not gazed upon God long enough to even see him as the Omnipotent One with limitless resources, made available to us. Does PS 18 make us leap with joy?
If our eyes are not fixed on God, if we have a penchant, a tendency, of moving our sight from God to circumstances, wavering between healthy life giving feelings and thoughts to deceptive ones, struggling between embracing God’s counsel and the voice of stranger(s) with their unwise, deadly chatter, we'll find ourselves traveling along crooked paths of defeat.
In this four part series, we’ll talk about keeping our eyes riveted upon God, which will determine the outcome of our lives.
I've come to realize that our gaze determines whether we walk in victory or not. The word “gaze” means staring, looking intently and steadily. When we think of our looking upon Jehovah, we can define “ gaze” as, the habitual long, lingering look of awestruck wonder.
David was a God-gazer, so was Elisha, great examples in the Old Testament. David saw the big giant, and his strong army, but he also saw something even bigger. He saw the bigness of God: bigger than any giant, stronger than any enemy, greater than any army. David saw the armies Jehovah Sabaoth command, and he was emboldened. There was no comparison between his God and the uncircumcised heathen, Goliath. Elisha, when surrounded by the enemy, knew that there were more for him than against him. We see their fruitful lives and the authority they wielded because their gaze was right. What about us, today?
I believe there is one primary reason why we are not fervent and consistent in prayer. Our gaze is really not upon God! For example, we have not gazed upon God long enough to even see him as the Omnipotent One with limitless resources, made available to us. Does PS 18 make us leap with joy?
If our eyes are not fixed on God, if we have a penchant, a tendency, of moving our sight from God to circumstances, wavering between healthy life giving feelings and thoughts to deceptive ones, struggling between embracing God’s counsel and the voice of stranger(s) with their unwise, deadly chatter, we'll find ourselves traveling along crooked paths of defeat.
In this four part series, we’ll talk about keeping our eyes riveted upon God, which will determine the outcome of our lives.
Many claim that they are walking by faith but they are doing so with closed eyes. Their spiritual eyes are closed. This is an outright disconnect. It is not in line with God's intent, because walking by faith means our spiritual eyes must be wide open.
Spiritual blindness means no revelation or limited revelation. It means satanic accessibility. Such blindness or poor sight diminishes or steals from a person's well being. Lack, discouragement, poor health are all linked to spiritual blindness. We need our eyes opened. We need to know truth. We need the Word of God to come alive in us. We need to see.
Many claim that they are walking by faith but they are doing so with closed eyes. Their spiritual eyes are closed. This is an outright disconnect. It is not in line with God's intent, because walking by faith means our spiritual eyes must be wide open.
Spiritual blindness means no revelation or limited revelation. It means satanic accessibility. Such blindness or poor sight diminishes or steals from a person's well being. Lack, discouragement, poor health are all linked to spiritual blindness. We need our eyes opened. We need to know truth. We need the Word of God to come alive in us. We need to see.
Many claim that they are walking by faith but they are doing so with closed eyes. Their spiritual eyes are closed. This is an outright disconnect. It is not in line with God's intent, because walking by faith means our spiritual eyes must be wide open.
Spiritual blindness means no revelation or limited revelation. It means satanic accessibility. Such blindness or poor sight diminishes or steals from a person's well being. Lack, discouragement, poor health are all linked to spiritual blindness. We need our eyes opened. We need to know truth. We need the Word of God to come alive in us. We need to see.
Many claim that they are walking by faith but they are doing so with closed eyes. Their spiritual eyes are closed. This is an outright disconnect. It is not in line with God's intent, because walking by faith means our spiritual eyes must be wide open.
Spiritual blindness means no revelation or limited revelation. It means satanic accessibility. Such blindness or poor sight diminishes or steals from a person's well being. Lack, discouragement, poor health are all linked to spiritual blindness. We need our eyes opened. We need to know truth. We need the Word of God to come alive in us. We need to see.
Many claim that they are walking by faith but they are doing so with closed eyes. Their spiritual eyes are closed. This is an outright disconnect. It is not in line with God's intent, because walking by faith means our spiritual eyes must be wide open.
Spiritual blindness means no revelation or limited revelation. It means satanic accessibility. Such blindness or poor sight diminishes or steals from a person's well being. Lack, discouragement, poor health are all linked to spiritual blindness. We need our eyes opened. We need to know truth. We need the Word of God to come alive in us. We need to see.
Prov 18:14
“A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear.”
A crushed spirit refers to one who is dispirited, one living on an empty tank, one who may feel so beaten up, that he is on the verge of giving up. That person may simply want to throw in the towel.
The human spirit is the engine of a person's life. It is who a person really is. The body enables the spirit to express itself on earth. The body, under the influence of the spirit, interacts with the physical realm. Our spirit was designed to rule our body. Therefore, spiritual health is the most important thing in our lives. It is more important than our physical health and looks. It is more important than our financial condition, more important than our social health, more important than genetics, race... It deserves care. It determines our outcome in this life, and throughout eternity.
A crushed spirit throws all of our life out of balance. We have to actively maintain the health of our spirit. Listen to this episode to hear some of what we can do to maintain the health of our spirit, ensuring that it is never crushed.
Prov 18:14
“A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear.”
A crushed spirit refers to one who is dispirited, one living on an empty tank, one who may feel so beaten up, that he is on the verge of giving up. That person may simply want to throw in the towel.
The human spirit is the engine of a person's life. It is who a person really is. The body enables the spirit to express itself on earth. The body, under the influence of the spirit, interacts with the physical realm. Our spirit was designed to rule our body. Therefore, spiritual health is the most important thing in our lives. It is more important than our physical health and looks. It is more important than our financial condition, more important than our social health, more important than genetics, race... It deserves care. It determines our outcome in this life, and throughout eternity.
A crushed spirit throws all of our life out of balance. We have to actively maintain the health of our spirit. Listen to this episode to hear some of what we can do to maintain the health of our spirit, ensuring that it is never crushed.
We are told that Abraham was a man of great faith, but he did not begin as a pillar or giant of faith. At first, his faith was trembling, a bit shaky... Consider the Hagar and Ishmael issue or his going to foreign parts (Egypt and Gerar), when there was a famine. He even jeopardized the godly line, the chosen line, when fear caused him to put his wife in the hands of the enemy. However, through it all, Abraham continued to believe God. He remembered God's promise to him. He was sometimes unsteady as he waited, but his believing God prevailed.
Abraham had faith. He did not start as a spiritual giant, but he kept believing God, even when fear caused him to deviate. He came back on course and kept believing. God requires the same from us. We have to keep believing. God needs our faith, that's the currency in His economy.
Like Abraham, we should each desire to be a pillar of faith. This may well have been easy if there was not an arch enemy trying to throw us off the path of faith, the path of obedience and living God’s will.. That enemy is fear. Fear crouches, lunges, deceives, entraps, paralyzes and tries to hinder God’s plan for our lives. Fear and faith have something in common. They both ask you to believe that something you cannot see will happen. Which will you believe, faith or fear?
We are told that Abraham was a man of great faith, but he did not begin as a pillar or giant of faith. At first, his faith was trembling, a bit shaky... Consider the Hagar and Ishmael issue or his going to foreign parts (Egypt and Gerar), when there was a famine. He even jeopardized the godly line, the chosen line, when fear caused him to put his wife in the hands of the enemy. However, through it all, Abraham continued to believe God. He remembered God's promise to him. He was sometimes unsteady as he waited, but his believing God prevailed.
Abraham had faith. He did not start as a spiritual giant, but he kept believing God, even when fear caused him to deviate. He came back on course and kept believing. God requires the same from us. We have to keep believing. God needs our faith, that's the currency in His economy.
Like Abraham, we should each desire to be a pillar of faith. This may well have been easy if there was not an arch enemy trying to throw us off the path of faith, the path of obedience and living God’s will.. That enemy is fear. Fear crouches, lunges, deceives, entraps, paralyzes and tries to hinder God’s plan for our lives. Fear and faith have something in common. They both ask you to believe that something you cannot see will happen. Which will you believe, faith or fear?
Here is the trap which has succeeded, through the ages:
Prosperity without, but proud, idolatrous and selfish, within. In the ninth century, God's people were being undermined from within. This is such a killer! The situations without can turn our eyes away from our inner state, yet what's happening within tells us the true state of our heart and points to the course of our life. The inner state is more important than the externals, the barren materialism, which entraps many. Appeasing the flesh means looking away from God. Anything apart from God, is flesh. It may look or feel so good, it may even be defined as the lap of luxury, but in the process of “enjoyment” one dies, spiritually. One dies, spiritually, even as the outward gleams, even as one grows fatter or richer, it’s a mere disguise for death! God brings this ongoing deception to man's attention and provides him with an option in Amos 5:4:
“Seek me (search diligently for me and regard me as more essential than food) so that you may live” AMP
Why is God giving man an option, that is, to seek Him? God wants us to be spiritually live, to truly live, and He knows seeking Him is the only way to that life, which never ends!
Here is the trap which has succeeded, through the ages:
Prosperity without, but proud, idolatrous and selfish, within. In the ninth century, God's people were being undermined from within. This is such a killer! The situations without can turn our eyes away from our inner state, yet what's happening within tells us the true state of our heart and points to the course of our life. The inner state is more important than the externals, the barren materialism, which entraps many. Appeasing the flesh means looking away from God. Anything apart from God, is flesh. It may look or feel so good, it may even be defined as the lap of luxury, but in the process of “enjoyment” one dies, spiritually. One dies, spiritually, even as the outward gleams, even as one grows fatter or richer, it’s a mere disguise for death! God brings this ongoing deception to man's attention and provides him with an option in Amos 5:4:
“Seek me (search diligently for me and regard me as more essential than food) so that you may live” AMP
Why is God giving man an option, that is, to seek Him? God wants us to be spiritually live, to truly live, and He knows seeking Him is the only way to that life, which never ends!
Here is the trap which succeeded, through the ages:
Prosperity without, but proud, idolatrous and selfish, within. In the ninth century, God's people were being undermined from within. This is such a killer, the situations without can turn our eyes away from our inner state, yet what's happening within tells us the true state of our heart and points to the course of our life. The inner state is more important than the externals, the barren materialism, which entraps many. Appeasing the flesh means looking away from God. Anything apart from God, is flesh. It may look or feel so, it may even be defined as the lap of luxury, but in the process of “enjoyment” one dies, spiritually. One dies, spiritually, even as the outward gleams...even as one grows fatter or richer, it’s a shallow cover over death! God brings this ongoing deception to man's attention and provides him with an option in Amos 5:4:
“Seek me (search diligently for me and regard me as more essential than food) so that you may live” AMP
Why is God giving man an option, that is, to seek Him? God wants us to be spiritually live, to truly live, and He knows seeking Him is the only way to that life, which never ends!
It's time to bridge the huge divide between our perspective of prayer and that of God.
Jesus prevailed in prayer. Prayer was His very life. Everything began and ended in prayer. He prayed before He did things. He prayed while He did them and after He had done them, He prayed! We see the fruit borne, the results of His prayer, and the manifestation of our Father's will. We are here today, because Jesus prayed, and He is still prevailing in prayer as He intercedes for us, at the right hand of the Father.. What an example we have in Jesus! Yet, it points to the huge divide, this great gap between what we call prayer and God’s definition, lived by His Son, Jesus.
Generally, we do not pray like Jesus nor do we truly seek to communicate with our Heavenly Father, on an ongoing basis. Prayer, far too often, is sporadic and governed by our emotions. It becomes a matter of: “Do I feel like praying, today?” This is, primarily, responsible for prayerlessness in the lives of so many. Add much chatter about prayer and reliance on flesh to this mix and we succeed in forging an even wider gap.
It's time to bridge this divide. It's time to close the gap. It’s time for prayerlessness to end. It's to our detriment that we allow this HUGE DIVIDE to persist!
It's time to bridge the huge divide between our perspective of prayer and that of God.
Jesus prevailed in prayer. Prayer was His very life. Everything began and ended in prayer. He prayed before He did things. He prayed while He did them and after He had done them, He prayed! We see the fruit borne, the results of His prayer, and the manifestation of our Father's will. We are here today, because Jesus prayed, and He is still prevailing in prayer as He intercedes for us, at the right hand of the Father.. What an example we have in Jesus! Yet, it points to the huge divide, this great gap between what we call prayer and God’s definition, lived by His Son, Jesus.
Generally, we do not pray like Jesus nor do we truly seek to communicate with our Heavenly Father, on an ongoing basis. Prayer, far too often, is sporadic and governed by our emotions. It becomes a matter of: “Do I feel like praying, today?” This is, primarily, responsible for prayerlessness in the lives of so many. Add much chatter about prayer and reliance on flesh to this mix and we succeed in forging an even wider gap.
It's time to bridge this divide. It's time to close the gap. It’s time for prayerlessness to end. It's to our detriment that we allow this HUGE DIVIDE to persist!
There is such a great gap between God's perspective and ours. When we insist on using a mind filled with our little, finite, humanistic thoughts(unrenewed), to follow God, we will be led away from His will. It will keep us outside of the fullness and abundance God intends us to know and to live. The gap between God’s will and the clamoring of our heart widens, when we hold fast to such things as, erroneous assumptions, misguided expectations, walking by sight rather than faith and, a very popular one, being victims of circumstances, which shape our desires, our prayers, and our choices.
We pray for many things and have not yet seen the answer because of two varying perspectives: God’s and ours! In other words we are not embracing God's will. Truth be told, too many times we don't want to bridge the divide and get to God's will. We want to advance our shriveled up, finite will. We choose not to bridge the gap, which would allow us to operate from God’s vantage point! There is no comparison. Why settle for momentary “pleasures”, maintaining a huge divide, which causes us to forfeit so much?
There is such a great gap between God's perspective and ours. When we insist on using a mind filled with our little, finite, humanistic thoughts(unrenewed), to follow God, we will be led away from His will. It will keep us outside of the fullness and abundance God intends us to know and to live. The gap between God’s will and the clamoring of our heart widens, when we hold fast to such things as, erroneous assumptions, misguided expectations, walking by sight rather than faith and, a very popular one, being victims of circumstances, which shape our desires, our prayers, and our choices.
We pray for many things and have not yet seen the answer because of two varying perspectives: God’s and ours! In other words we are not embracing God's will. Truth be told, too many times we don't want to bridge the divide and get to God's will. We want to advance our shriveled up, finite will. We choose not to bridge the gap, which would allow us to operate from God’s vantage point! There is no comparison. Why settle for momentary “pleasures”, maintaining a huge divide, which causes us to forfeit so much?
Text: LUKE 7:36-50
What an example we have in this woman of true worship and entering into the fellowship of Jesus' sufferings. Simon and friends were intent on humiliating Jesus, but this worshipper shows up and destroys their plans with her radical, undignified, unashamed worship of the Lover of Her Soul.
Her worship was a costly offering. She offered herself. She was not afraid of the faces of the Pharisees, she was not put off by their disdain or their anger that she had turned their plot upside down. With her sacrificial offering, she entered into Jesus' pain of rejection and public humiliation. This one woman, this true worshipper frustrated the plan of the Pharisees. Their plan backfired! Instead of public humiliation, Jesus received special honors, flowing from her heart!
This is true worship. It says, "I'm all in." It reverses situations. It destroys the work of the enemy. Fear and intimidation cannot shut it down. It begins with really beholding Jesus. This woman did!
I wonder, if I were that woman...what would have been my response? Would I have feared the faces of men, wanting to fit in rather than evoke ridicule or would I have seen Jesus, seen beyond the circumstances and be willing and ready to pay the price? She did all this, and that, before Calvary. What's my excuse? What's yours? Oh, to have a heart of worship!!!
Text: LUKE 7:36-50
What an example we have in this woman of true worship and entering into the fellowship of Jesus' sufferings. Simon and friends were intent on humiliating Jesus, but this worshipper shows up and destroys their plans with her radical, undignified, unashamed worship of the Lover of Her Soul.
Her worship was a costly offering. She offered herself. She was not afraid of the faces of the Pharisees, she was not put off by their disdain or their anger that she had turned their plot upside down. With her sacrificial offering, she entered into Jesus' pain of rejection and public humiliation. This one woman, this true worshipper frustrated the plan of the Pharisees. Their plan backfired! Instead of public humiliation, Jesus received special honors, flowing from her heart!
This is true worship. It says, "I'm all in." It reverses situations. It destroys the work of the enemy. Fear and intimidation cannot shut it down. It begins with really beholding Jesus. This woman did!
I wonder, if I were that woman...what would have been my response? Would I have feared the faces of men, wanting to fit in rather than evoke ridicule or would I have seen Jesus, seen beyond the circumstances and be willing and ready to pay the price? She did all this, and that, before Calvary. What's my excuse? What's yours? Oh, to have a heart of worship!!!
We tend to have a problem with God’s “ logic” of joy: rejoicing in our sufferings. Yet, this is God's requirement for victorious living and spiritual maturation. There are some prerequisites for us to be able to embrace this logic and see joy become a given in our lives. These include:
a) truly believing that God loves us,
b) desiring to know God and living to obey Him...
Paul's knowing God led to a radical, undeniable change in his life. He looked at all of his life from God's perspective, and his obedience led to the realization of God’s will in his life.
c) rejecting the lie that we are to slug through our adversities and trials, relying on our own efforts and opting to live lonely, joyless lives.
If we can get hold of this, rivers of living waters will flow from our bellies, continually. Our hearts will respond with joy. Ours will be a supernatural life. Our joy will not be contingent on our circumstances... We'll be singing and living that song, I’ve got that joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart…!”
We tend to have a problem with God’s “ logic” of joy: rejoicing in our sufferings. Yet, this is God's requirement for victorious living and spiritual maturation. There are some prerequisites for us to be able to embrace this logic and see joy become a given in our lives. These include:
a) truly believing that God loves us,
b) desiring to know God and living to obey Him...
Paul's knowing God led to a radical, undeniable change in his life. He looked at all of his life from God's perspective, and his obedience led to the realization of God’s will in his life.
c) rejecting the lie that we are to slug through our adversities and trials, relying on our own efforts and opting to live lonely, joyless lives.
If we can get hold of this, rivers of living waters will flow from our bellies, continually. Our hearts will respond with joy. Ours will be a supernatural life. Our joy will not be contingent on our circumstances... We'll be singing and living that song, I’ve got that joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart…!”
THE BOOK OF JUDGES STARTS OUT WELL, BUT BY ITS END WE SEE DEATH, DISINTEGRATION AND PERVERSION...AND THE DARK LIST GOES ON! THE THEME OF JUDGES IS THE REJECTION OF DIVINE AUTHORITY AND THE PAGANIZATION OR UNGODLINESS, WHICH FOLLOWS. ISRAEL ADOPTS THE PAGAN PRINCIPLES OF ITS NEIGHBORS. WHEN A CULTURE IS PAGANIZED, IT ASSIMILATES UNGODLY PRINCIPLES, POLICIES, PHILOSOPHIES, POLITICS, AND PROCEDURES. BY THE END OF THE BOOK OF JUDGES, ISRAEL DID NOT LOOK ANY DIFFERENT FROM THE SURROUNDING CULTURE. ISRAEL MADE THE CHOICE TO DISOBEY GOD, COMMINGLING WITH THE CANAANITES AND BECOMING MORE AND MORE LIKE THEM. WHAT A READY TRAP THE ENEMY USES EVEN AMONG US, TODAY: EMBRACE AND ASSIMILATE WHAT OPPOSES GOD'S WILL. THIS TRAP IS REAL INSIDIOUS. WE FAIL TO REALIZE WE ARE MOVING TOWARDS UNGODLINESS, OR WE ARE SO IMMERSED IN IT, WE ARE ALREADY BEARING ITS FRUIT.
WE HAVE A CHOICE, TO HAVE OUR MINDS RENEWED, DAY BY DAY, FLOODING IT WITH GOD'S WORD, WITH TRUTH. THE ALTERNATIVE IS FLOODING OUR MINDS WITH HUMANISTIC ARGUMENTS, DEBATES AND THOUGHTS, RESULTING IN DESTRUCTION, DARKNESS AND PERVERSION. WHAT A WARNING TO US!!
God's plan is not that we simply behave ourselves and get along with each other. He wants us to be like HIM, living that exchanged or crucified life. Everything we do should be done with one question in mind: Are you like Jesus? Are you living like a new creation in Christ Jesus? As believers, our spirit has been regenerated. Can people see the difference between the old and new man? Can you see it? Are you living from the inside out or still trying to live outside in, which points to the strivings of the old man? God says do not be conformed to this world (which pressures us to live outside in) but be transformed, have your mind renewed (so that you can live inside out, releasing God's life through you). We have to let the Holy Spirit teach us how to die, daily, laying everything down, allowing Jesus to live through us, through our sanctified personalities, and making a difference throughout the earth.
TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE BURNT OUT, BECAUSE THEY ARE OUT OF RESOURCES...THE OIL RAN OUT AND THE RIVER FLOW IS DOWN TO A TRICKLE. THEY TRY BORROWING RESOURCES, THAT DIDN'T WORK. SOME MADE NO PREPARATION FOR THE LONG HAUL AND ARE ILL-PREPARED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF KINGDOM LIVING. THE 5 WISE, THOUGHTFUL WOMEN OF MATT 25:1-13, KNEW THAT IT MIGHT BE A LONG WAIT FOR THE BRIDEGROOM, AND THEY PREPARED, ACCORDINGLY. THEY HAD RESERVES! THE FOOLISH ONES JUST CONCENTRATED ON THE IMMEDIATE NEED. MANY OF US DO NOT UNDERSTAND PROCESS AND WAITING. SOME DESPISE IT...SO WE WAIT WITHOUT PREPAREDNESS. WE FAIL TO DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE AN ONGOING FLOW OF OIL IN OUR LIVES. WE CARRY AROUND FLICKERING LIGHTS...IN SOME INSTANCES, GOD'S PEOPLE ARE GROPING IN THE DARK. THIS IS THE OUTWORKING OF FOLLY AND UNPREPAREDNESS. THIS MUST NOT BE OUR STANCE. INSTEAD, BE VIGILANT, BE READY... KINGDOM LIVING REQUIRES VIGILANCE, READINESS. DON'T TAKE THINGS FOR GRANTED. IT'S NOT ONLY ABOUT STARTING WELL, BUT FINISHING, BESIDES OUR BRIDEGROOM. CONSIDER WHAT'S NECESSARY AND BE POSITIONED FOR ONGOING REPLENISHMENTS OF OIL AND ALL THAT COMES WITH IT.
TOO OFTEN WE FORGET THAT GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EACH LIFE. WHETHER WE'RE TRAIPSING THROUGH A PARK OR STANDING BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE, GOD DOES NOT ONLY HAVE A PLAN FOR EACH ONE OF US, BUT HE KNOWS HOW TO EXECUTE THAT PLAN. IN ACTS 12, WE SEE HOW UNIQUE THIS PLAN IS; IT IS TAILOR MADE FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL. JAMES' PLAN WAS DIFFERENT THAN THAT FOR PETER. HEROD DID NOT REALIZE THIS, SO HE HAD IMPRISONED PETER AND WAS BENT ON EXECUTING HIM, AS HE HAD DONE WITH JAMES. THIS KING WAS A PEOPLE PLEASER AND SOUGHT TO INGRATIATE HIMSELF WITH THE JEWS WHO WERE AGAINST THE JESUS FOLLOWERS, THOSE OF THE WAY, AS THEY WERE CALLED. SO HIS AGENDA WAS TO ASSASSINATE THE LEADERS. IMPRISONED AND FACING WHAT SEEMED LIKE IMMINENT DEATH WITHIN HOURS, PETER SLEPT. CHAINED TO GUARDS TO HELP PREVENT THE LIKELIHOOD OF HIS ESCAPE, PETER SLEPT, OR MORE ACCURATELY, SLUMBERED. WE NEED TO LEARN A LESSON FROM THIS TRIED AND TESTED DISCIPLE. WHEN IN HARD PLACES, WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE. NOTHING OR NO ONE CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD. PETER WASN'T WORRYING, HE SLEPT. WHAT AN EXAMPLE TO THOSE GUARDS ASSIGNED TO KEEP WATCH OVER HIM. UNMOVED BY DEATH OR SEEMING DARKNESS, THE PRISONER SLEPT.
HEROD HAD MADE ONE BIG MISTAKE. HE APPARENTLY DID NOT CONSIDER PETER'S GOD. HE SIMPLY LEFT HIM OUT OF THE EQUATION. THE INNER PRISON, CHAINS, GATES BARRING EXIT, AND GUARDS COULD NOT MAINTAIN THEIR HOLD ON PETER, WHEN GOD CHOSE TO SET HIM FREE. ONE ANGEL SENT BY GOD, ACCOMPLISHED THE PRISON BREAK TASK. PETER WAS AWAKENED FROM HIS SLEEP. IT TOOK HIM A FEW MOMENTS TO REALIZE THAT IT WAS NOT A DREAM. THIS IS HOW QUICKLY AND SUDDENLY GOD CAN INTERVENE AND CHANGE OUR SITUATION. WHEN LIGHT BREAKS INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES, REGARDLESS OF HOW GLOOMY OR FIXED THEY MAY APPEAR, DARKNESS HAS TO FLEE. WHEN GOD SAYS AND REINFORCES FREEDOM, EVERY CHAIN HAS TO COME LOOSE. READ PS 91:3-11 AND BE ENCOURAGED. GOD DOES A COMPLETE WORK. HIS REVERSALS ARE NOT SLIP-SHOD. AT THE BEGINNING OF ACTS 12, HEROD SEEMED TO HAVE TOTAL CONTROL. JAMES WAS ALREADY KILLED AND PETER WAS IN PRISON AWAITING THE SAME FATE. HOW COULD THINGS CHANGE? EVERYTHNG SEEMED SET IN STONE. THEN GOD INTERVENED! HIS TIMING WAS PERFECT. WE END THE CHAPTER TALKING ABOUT HEROD IN THE PAST TENSE! HE WAS A DEAD MAN, WHILE PETER WENT FORTH TO DO THE WORK GOD HAD PREPARED FOR HIM. DO NOT BE FOOLED BY SEEMING DARKNESS. JUST CAST YOUR CARES UPON GOD, AS PETER DID AND REST... DARKNESS HAS TO FLEE WHEN YOUR GOD ARISES!
How often we pray and do not receive an immediate or quick answer. This may lead to discouragement, frustration and may be the reason why many no longer pray, although we have been charged by God to pray and not faint. We need to remember that in addition to asking of God and receiving answers, like gas is necessary for a car's functioning, prayer is critical for man to operate according to our Creator's design. It is no wonder that there are hindrances to prayer, such as, iniquity/sin, doubt, asking with wrong motives or intentions, and, outright disobedience resulting in prayerlessness. If we truly understand the power of prayer, we would position ourselves filled with faith, to contend in prayer. We will ask and keep asking Gof for the realization of his will in our lives, and we SHALL SEE amazing answers to our prayers! DON'T STOP PRAYING!
The tongue is a powerful instrument. Each word we speak has weight. We can be described as ones who kill or make alive with our words. We have to choose to speak life or death. If our tongues are not surrendered to God, as James says in Chapter 3 of his book, it will function as a "world of iniquity." The fallout from such misuse of the tongue will be evident, as others become its target through gossip and slander, for example. What is also alarming is that we can destroy ourselves with our own words. This ranges from empty boastings to habitual words of negativity or death we speak over ourselves, over those in our sphere of influence and over our circumstances. It's time or change. We can no longer allow our tongues to be weapons of destruction...not even on an "off" day. Let's make the right choice!
Faith is critical to living a victorious life. Yet, we succumb to doubt, which is often followed by discouragement, fear and their associates. This pulls us away fromGod's Presence and our healthy growth in grace and knowledge of Him. We are told in Heb 11:6a that without faith it is impossible to please God. What God has purposed for our lives is contingent on our believing Him. We have to be intentional about trusting God, against all odds! Then, we'll live fearlessly and we'll see how our faith in Christ and Him Crucified assures the victory in our ongoing warfare with the kingdom of darkness.