Hello Everyone,
How can you develop humility? (The answer is found in Philippians 2:12-13)Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
You develop humility by working hard and letting God change your will.
Paul is not saying here we need to work hard to earn our salvation.
Instead, he’s saying, keep on obeying God’s word and the prompting of the Holy Spirit, working out in the physical realm the spiritual salvation you have already received.
If we do out part, we’re promised God will begin changing not just our actions – but our very WILL!
What will be the result of a life lived with humility?
Your life will bring light to dark places.
(Philippians 2:14-16)Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life
Paul says that when we live lives of humility, being a servant, putting others first – the result is we will shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the Word of life to others. The world is full of people demanding attention, honor, and prestige. You want your life to be set apart from the crowd?
Live humbly and put others needs before your own.
How will your life be different this week?
Who is it that God is whispering in your ear that you might serve this week?
What action can you take to literally empty yourself of your rights and become like a servant? What task do you routinely do that causes you to complain?
I challenge you to live in the shadow of Jesus, who lived a humble life, and because of it He is now in eternal GLORY with the Father.
I urge you to write down one step you can take this week to develop this attitude of humility and follow the example of Jesus.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
A Servant to ALL
Hello Everyone,
We are asking the question this week: What does it mean to be HUMBLE?Paul tells us in Philippians to make yourself a servant.
(Philippians 2:7)but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Read John 13:12-17 with me:12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me ’Teacher’ and ’Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
How can there be joy in making yourself a servant?
Maybe it is in this: If your joy and happiness in life is based on having others serve you, then if you are ever deprived, your life will take a turn for the worse. However, if you make the choice to serve others; if you make yourself nothing of your own, then no longer will your happiness be found on how others treat you – which is completely out of your control.
Also we must obey even when it is inconvenient.
(Philippians 2:8)And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!
The question I’ve been asking myself this week in relation to this verse is…How far does my obedience go?
Am I willing to obey the word of God if it means I lose?
Am I willing to obey the word of God if it means someone else might not understand?
Am I willing to obey the word of God even if I don’t really like what it has to say?
Our humility is shown in these types of situations. Will we humble ourselves before God’s WILL or raise ourselves up above what His Word says and say, “In my situation it just doesn’t apply!”
Jesus gave us the most perfect example of humility – and Paul challenges us to live our life with the same kind of humble attitude.But you might say to me, “That’s great Pastor, but all that advice in Philippians sounds out of my reach.
How can I become that type of person, and begin knowing the joy that comes from becoming a humble servant?”How can you develop humility? (The answer is found in verses 12 and 13.)
And we will look at them tomorrow.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
We are asking the question this week: What does it mean to be HUMBLE?Paul tells us in Philippians to make yourself a servant.
(Philippians 2:7)but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Read John 13:12-17 with me:12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me ’Teacher’ and ’Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
How can there be joy in making yourself a servant?
Maybe it is in this: If your joy and happiness in life is based on having others serve you, then if you are ever deprived, your life will take a turn for the worse. However, if you make the choice to serve others; if you make yourself nothing of your own, then no longer will your happiness be found on how others treat you – which is completely out of your control.
Also we must obey even when it is inconvenient.
(Philippians 2:8)And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!
The question I’ve been asking myself this week in relation to this verse is…How far does my obedience go?
Am I willing to obey the word of God if it means I lose?
Am I willing to obey the word of God if it means someone else might not understand?
Am I willing to obey the word of God even if I don’t really like what it has to say?
Our humility is shown in these types of situations. Will we humble ourselves before God’s WILL or raise ourselves up above what His Word says and say, “In my situation it just doesn’t apply!”
Jesus gave us the most perfect example of humility – and Paul challenges us to live our life with the same kind of humble attitude.But you might say to me, “That’s great Pastor, but all that advice in Philippians sounds out of my reach.
How can I become that type of person, and begin knowing the joy that comes from becoming a humble servant?”How can you develop humility? (The answer is found in verses 12 and 13.)
And we will look at them tomorrow.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Our Example
Hello Everyone,
What does it mean to be HUMBLE?
Consider others better than yourself.
(Philippians 2:3-4)3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Our natural way of thinking is that the more we can get for ourselves the happier we’ll be. But God’s word tells us just the opposite is true. If you want to be great, you’ve got to be the last. If you want to get everything you want, you’ve got to be willing to put others first. What would it look like for me, for all of us, to consider others better than ourselves?
· Simple things like letting others go first.
· Giving up the biggest piece of dessert (or the last piece).
· More important things like keeping your promises.
· Showing up on time to appointments with others.
· Giving money away to others before you have everything you want.
Our role model for “humility” is Jesus himself. Paul lays that out when he says in Philippians 2:5:Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Paul then spends the next few sentences telling us exactly what Jesus did in laying down an example of humility. It’s starts in verse six where we learn that being humble like Jesus means to…Be unconcerned about your personal position.
(Philippians 2:5-6)5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
That word “grasped” here brings the idea that it was not something to be seized. Though Christ was in very nature God, he did not go grasping after it, putting Himself forward, and demanding others treat Him in a way befitting someone of His stature.
Our application is simple. Whatever titles we may have earned, whatever degrees may hang on our wall, being like Jesus will mean we never lord our authority over others, or try to make them feel inferior to us.
Let Jesus be your guide. Though He was in nature God, He did not consider it something to be grasped. Instead, He set us an example of humility, teaching us to.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
What does it mean to be HUMBLE?
Consider others better than yourself.
(Philippians 2:3-4)3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Our natural way of thinking is that the more we can get for ourselves the happier we’ll be. But God’s word tells us just the opposite is true. If you want to be great, you’ve got to be the last. If you want to get everything you want, you’ve got to be willing to put others first. What would it look like for me, for all of us, to consider others better than ourselves?
· Simple things like letting others go first.
· Giving up the biggest piece of dessert (or the last piece).
· More important things like keeping your promises.
· Showing up on time to appointments with others.
· Giving money away to others before you have everything you want.
Our role model for “humility” is Jesus himself. Paul lays that out when he says in Philippians 2:5:Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Paul then spends the next few sentences telling us exactly what Jesus did in laying down an example of humility. It’s starts in verse six where we learn that being humble like Jesus means to…Be unconcerned about your personal position.
(Philippians 2:5-6)5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
That word “grasped” here brings the idea that it was not something to be seized. Though Christ was in very nature God, he did not go grasping after it, putting Himself forward, and demanding others treat Him in a way befitting someone of His stature.
Our application is simple. Whatever titles we may have earned, whatever degrees may hang on our wall, being like Jesus will mean we never lord our authority over others, or try to make them feel inferior to us.
Let Jesus be your guide. Though He was in nature God, He did not consider it something to be grasped. Instead, He set us an example of humility, teaching us to.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Monday, January 26, 2009
Path to Revival
Hello Everyone,
I read this week that: Humility is a virtue more often praised than sought. Who wants to think little of himself? The world admires the self-confident, the ambitious, yes even the proud! Yet biblical Humility-recognizing oneself as a sinner before the Holy God- and it is a prerequisite for starting down the path to revival.
John Newton said - “I am persuaded that love and humility are the highest attainments in the school of Christ and the brightest evidences that He is indeed our Master.”
Pride in ourselves should have no place in the Christian’s life. Paul puts it well when he says in Phil. 3:8:
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”
Humility is the result of...
Measuring yourself with Christ not others - Acts 17:31
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."
Being conscious of God’s continual presence - Proverbs 15:3
The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
Knowing oneself - Romans 12:3
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
If we are going to be men and women of God – who really make a difference in this world, then our view of ourselves has to be different than the world.
This week we are going to be looking at, “Humility” Coming To God On His Terms.
See you tomorrow,
Pastor Phil
I read this week that: Humility is a virtue more often praised than sought. Who wants to think little of himself? The world admires the self-confident, the ambitious, yes even the proud! Yet biblical Humility-recognizing oneself as a sinner before the Holy God- and it is a prerequisite for starting down the path to revival.
John Newton said - “I am persuaded that love and humility are the highest attainments in the school of Christ and the brightest evidences that He is indeed our Master.”
Pride in ourselves should have no place in the Christian’s life. Paul puts it well when he says in Phil. 3:8:
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”
Humility is the result of...
Measuring yourself with Christ not others - Acts 17:31
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."
Being conscious of God’s continual presence - Proverbs 15:3
The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
Knowing oneself - Romans 12:3
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
If we are going to be men and women of God – who really make a difference in this world, then our view of ourselves has to be different than the world.
This week we are going to be looking at, “Humility” Coming To God On His Terms.
See you tomorrow,
Pastor Phil
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Signs of the Times
Hello Everyone,
A Church that is fasting and praying and a Church that is on Fire Will Care for Souls.Jesus wept over Jerusalem because He cared for their souls.
Matthew 23:37 [Living] "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones all those God sends to her! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me”
The early church was on fire and..... “…they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” (Mark 16:20)
Martin Luther was on fire and started the Protestant movement.19th Century Christians were on fire and started the Assemblies of God, The Church of God, and the Pentecostal Holiness.
During the reign of Oliver Cromwell, the British government began to run low on silver for coins. Lord Cromwell sent his men on an investigation of the local cathedral to see if they could find any precious metal there. After investigating, they reported, "The only silver we could find is in the statues of the saintsstanding in the corners." To which the radical soldier and statesman of England replied, "Good! We’ll melt down the saints and put them into circulation!"
A Church On Fire Accomplishes Great Things For God.
(Daniel 11:32) ...the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. (John 14:12) “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”
(1 Cor. 2:4) “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:”
(Mark 16:17-18) “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; [18] They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
The power of God is manifested in many ways to His glory. Healings, Gifts of the Spirit, Miracles, Signs and Wonders.
And a church that is fasting and praying a church that is on fire will see the power of God.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
A Church that is fasting and praying and a Church that is on Fire Will Care for Souls.Jesus wept over Jerusalem because He cared for their souls.
Matthew 23:37 [Living] "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones all those God sends to her! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me”
The early church was on fire and..... “…they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” (Mark 16:20)
Martin Luther was on fire and started the Protestant movement.19th Century Christians were on fire and started the Assemblies of God, The Church of God, and the Pentecostal Holiness.
During the reign of Oliver Cromwell, the British government began to run low on silver for coins. Lord Cromwell sent his men on an investigation of the local cathedral to see if they could find any precious metal there. After investigating, they reported, "The only silver we could find is in the statues of the saintsstanding in the corners." To which the radical soldier and statesman of England replied, "Good! We’ll melt down the saints and put them into circulation!"
A Church On Fire Accomplishes Great Things For God.
(Daniel 11:32) ...the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. (John 14:12) “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”
(1 Cor. 2:4) “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:”
(Mark 16:17-18) “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; [18] They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
The power of God is manifested in many ways to His glory. Healings, Gifts of the Spirit, Miracles, Signs and Wonders.
And a church that is fasting and praying a church that is on fire will see the power of God.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
We are not of the World
Hello Everyone,
There is one thing for sure and that is a Church On Fire Will Fast And Pray.It will see the need for and the value of earnestly seeking God with the whole heart.
1 Corinthians 7:5.... “that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer;”
For a church and an individual when we fast and pray Reward is promised.
Matthew 6:17-18 “But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
There are many examples in the Word here are a few.
Moses received the Ten Commandments (Ex. 34:28).
Elijah received direction from the Lord (1 Kgs. 19:8).
Hezekiah received healing for his body.
When we are on fire for God, we will respond to the needs of our day with prayer and fasting.A Church that fasts and prays and a Church on Fire Will Be Uncomfortable in The World.Are we not comfortable when we can attend church services time and time again and never be stirred by the Spirit of God!
(1 John 2:15) “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
As we fast and pray the fire of God burning in our heart will burn away the desire for the things of this world.
(2 Tim. 2:4) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Ephesians. 5:11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”
I want to challenge you to finish these last two days of fasting and prayer and tomorrow night go to your church gather around the altar and seek God.
I know that He will move in your life mightily.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
There is one thing for sure and that is a Church On Fire Will Fast And Pray.It will see the need for and the value of earnestly seeking God with the whole heart.
1 Corinthians 7:5.... “that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer;”
For a church and an individual when we fast and pray Reward is promised.
Matthew 6:17-18 “But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
There are many examples in the Word here are a few.
Moses received the Ten Commandments (Ex. 34:28).
Elijah received direction from the Lord (1 Kgs. 19:8).
Hezekiah received healing for his body.
When we are on fire for God, we will respond to the needs of our day with prayer and fasting.A Church that fasts and prays and a Church on Fire Will Be Uncomfortable in The World.Are we not comfortable when we can attend church services time and time again and never be stirred by the Spirit of God!
(1 John 2:15) “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
As we fast and pray the fire of God burning in our heart will burn away the desire for the things of this world.
(2 Tim. 2:4) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Ephesians. 5:11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”
I want to challenge you to finish these last two days of fasting and prayer and tomorrow night go to your church gather around the altar and seek God.
I know that He will move in your life mightily.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Monday, January 19, 2009
Burn Baby Burn
Hello Everyone,
Read with me Matthew 3:11:
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”
We have gas logs in our fire place and I really miss the smell and sounds of a real fireplace.
Many of us love an open fireplace. There is a therapy in the flickering light, the crackle of fire, and the smell of burning wood, the direct heat of a cheerful flame.
Most of us do not have such fireplaces, but God has always had His fireplaces. The burning bush, the brazen altar of the tabernacle, Mount Carmel, and His Pentecost people -- these are just a few of God’s fireplaces.
The only fireplaces He has today in all the world are the hearts of His people.... We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
The FIRE of the Holy Spirit is to burn in the fireplaces of our own hearts.”
QUOTE: “There is nothing more pathetic than a drowsy and lethargic church. When a church loses its enthusiasm for Christ, it ceases to be an organism and becomes merely an organization. Lacking the spiritual strength to operate as a true church for God ... (it) will rely more and more on mechanics and machinery.”
“Our God is a consuming fire.” (Heb. 12:29), and He desires to have, and will have a church that is “on fire” with His Divine Presence and Power.
Fire consumes -- burns out the sinful and unnecessary “stuff” in our lives.
Fire purifies -- makes us clean and holy before God.
Fire prepares (as in food) -- makes us tasteful and pleasant to each other.
Fire cheers -- when we are caught in the cold grip of despair and discouragement, He cheers us on to victory.
Fire softens -- the Holy Spirit softens the heart of the sinner and He repents.
Fire unites -- (as in uniting different kinds of metals) the Holy Spirit
brings unity to the people of God.
Fire empowers -- “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” (Acts 1:8).
“We fail to get up much steam in many of our endeavors because we do not have enough fire under the boilers.” (Crabtree)
Let the FIRE BURN!
All For Jesus
Phil
Read with me Matthew 3:11:
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”
We have gas logs in our fire place and I really miss the smell and sounds of a real fireplace.
Many of us love an open fireplace. There is a therapy in the flickering light, the crackle of fire, and the smell of burning wood, the direct heat of a cheerful flame.
Most of us do not have such fireplaces, but God has always had His fireplaces. The burning bush, the brazen altar of the tabernacle, Mount Carmel, and His Pentecost people -- these are just a few of God’s fireplaces.
The only fireplaces He has today in all the world are the hearts of His people.... We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
The FIRE of the Holy Spirit is to burn in the fireplaces of our own hearts.”
QUOTE: “There is nothing more pathetic than a drowsy and lethargic church. When a church loses its enthusiasm for Christ, it ceases to be an organism and becomes merely an organization. Lacking the spiritual strength to operate as a true church for God ... (it) will rely more and more on mechanics and machinery.”
“Our God is a consuming fire.” (Heb. 12:29), and He desires to have, and will have a church that is “on fire” with His Divine Presence and Power.
Fire consumes -- burns out the sinful and unnecessary “stuff” in our lives.
Fire purifies -- makes us clean and holy before God.
Fire prepares (as in food) -- makes us tasteful and pleasant to each other.
Fire cheers -- when we are caught in the cold grip of despair and discouragement, He cheers us on to victory.
Fire softens -- the Holy Spirit softens the heart of the sinner and He repents.
Fire unites -- (as in uniting different kinds of metals) the Holy Spirit
brings unity to the people of God.
Fire empowers -- “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” (Acts 1:8).
“We fail to get up much steam in many of our endeavors because we do not have enough fire under the boilers.” (Crabtree)
Let the FIRE BURN!
All For Jesus
Phil
Thursday, January 15, 2009
NOW is the Time
Hello Everyone,
We behave badly toward others because our fellowship with God is not what it ought to be.
Then we try to do the things that will increase our fellowship with God but we do them in the wrong way.
End result? We fall flat on our spiritual faces.The solution is so simple that God tells Isaiah in chapter 58 verse one to "shout it loud, do not hold back".
God wasn’t just saying this because He’s angry, but because He’s a loving God who wants to make sure everybody gets the message.
THE WAY WE DO WHAT WE DO FOR GOD IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS WHAT WE DO FOR GOD!
Fasting can be a truly spiritually uplifting experience but only if it’s done for the right reasons.
Then, and only then, does it produce the right results.The exciting thing is what happens when we get it right - when we do the right thing with the right motive!
Over and over again in Isaiah 58 God promises that if we get it right He will answer our prayers!It’s a "when" and "then" proposition.
WHEN we fast and pray for the right reasons..."THEN your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear." (Isaiah 58:8a)
WHEN we fast and pray for the right reasons..."THEN your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard." (Isaiah 58:8b)
(That’s like God saying, "I’m going to watch your back. The enemy won’t be able to attack you from behind where you are most vulnerable.")
WHEN we fast and pray for the right reasons..."THEN you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I." (Isaiah 58:9a)
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
(Sound like your marriage? Your office? Your relationship with other believers?)
And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, THEN your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday." (Isaiah 58:9b-10)
"The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." (Isaiah 58:11)
Evangelism must be the HEARTBEAT of the Saints.
· While people talk about their culture, let the church talk about Calvary.
· While Americans discuss the problems with the economy, let the church proclaim the power of salvation.
· We need to be willing to:
turn pulpits into fishing boats,
our automobiles into ambulances,
our homes into shelters, our bodies into the temples of the Holy Spirit,
and our churches into hospitals where the souls of men and women can be healed by the GRACE of God.
The tide is going out. People are calling for someone to save them, as they are about to sink under the surf for the last time.
Suspend the lifeguard meeting and reach them before it is too late!
All for Jesus
Phil
We behave badly toward others because our fellowship with God is not what it ought to be.
Then we try to do the things that will increase our fellowship with God but we do them in the wrong way.
End result? We fall flat on our spiritual faces.The solution is so simple that God tells Isaiah in chapter 58 verse one to "shout it loud, do not hold back".
God wasn’t just saying this because He’s angry, but because He’s a loving God who wants to make sure everybody gets the message.
THE WAY WE DO WHAT WE DO FOR GOD IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS WHAT WE DO FOR GOD!
Fasting can be a truly spiritually uplifting experience but only if it’s done for the right reasons.
Then, and only then, does it produce the right results.The exciting thing is what happens when we get it right - when we do the right thing with the right motive!
Over and over again in Isaiah 58 God promises that if we get it right He will answer our prayers!It’s a "when" and "then" proposition.
WHEN we fast and pray for the right reasons..."THEN your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear." (Isaiah 58:8a)
WHEN we fast and pray for the right reasons..."THEN your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard." (Isaiah 58:8b)
(That’s like God saying, "I’m going to watch your back. The enemy won’t be able to attack you from behind where you are most vulnerable.")
WHEN we fast and pray for the right reasons..."THEN you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I." (Isaiah 58:9a)
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
(Sound like your marriage? Your office? Your relationship with other believers?)
And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, THEN your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday." (Isaiah 58:9b-10)
"The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." (Isaiah 58:11)
Evangelism must be the HEARTBEAT of the Saints.
· While people talk about their culture, let the church talk about Calvary.
· While Americans discuss the problems with the economy, let the church proclaim the power of salvation.
· We need to be willing to:
turn pulpits into fishing boats,
our automobiles into ambulances,
our homes into shelters, our bodies into the temples of the Holy Spirit,
and our churches into hospitals where the souls of men and women can be healed by the GRACE of God.
The tide is going out. People are calling for someone to save them, as they are about to sink under the surf for the last time.
Suspend the lifeguard meeting and reach them before it is too late!
All for Jesus
Phil
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Improving our Walk with God
Hello Everyone,
The attitude that we can "earn" answers to our prayers because we have gone through the religious motion of fasting is shallow on our part.It’s as if we’re saying God should stop and take notice of our super piety. When we behave this way we have our halos on too tight!What an insult to God! We believe we can "earn" His blessings by our effort.
Here’s what actually happens when we fast and pray for the right reasons. (Fasting and praying is like every other dimension of worship.)
1. We desire a deeper relationship with God so we choose fasting and prayer as one of the options available to us to accomplish that goal.
2. We disassociate ourselves with other things for a while so we can focus more on God. It’s as if we’re saying, "God, I don’t even care about food right now I want to desperately walk in your presence."
3. That’s when we develop a closer walk with God. We begin to "see His face" - which is the way the Word describes our relationship when we draw close to God.
4. Walking more closely to God brings about a transformation in our character. Fasting and prayer doesn’t change God - it changes us!
5. We’re now transformed to the place God can bless us with answers to our prayers.
Where before we weren’t able to receive certain things - now we are!
We were like a bucket that had a hole in it but it has been repaired and now it can be used to carry something.When we walk and talk with God great things happen in our lives!Our relationships with others improve.
That’s because as we walk with God we become more like Him who treats others right.This wasn’t happening in Isaiah’s day.And it wasn’t happening in Jesus’ day either.
"How terrible it will be for you teachers of the law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest part of your income, but you ignore the important things of the law - justice, mercy, faith. You should tithe, yes, but you should not leave undone the important things." (Matthew 23:23 NLT)
Jesus could have said the same thing about fasting. [After all Jesus said, "When you fast", not "if you fast." (Matthew 6:16)]
"You should fast, yes, but you should not leave undone the other important things."
· It’s important to help the needy.
· It’s important to treat others fairly.
· It’s important to be kind to others and try to get along with one another.
How can we improve in these areas? We can improve in these areas by improving our walk with God.
All for Jesus
Phil
The attitude that we can "earn" answers to our prayers because we have gone through the religious motion of fasting is shallow on our part.It’s as if we’re saying God should stop and take notice of our super piety. When we behave this way we have our halos on too tight!What an insult to God! We believe we can "earn" His blessings by our effort.
Here’s what actually happens when we fast and pray for the right reasons. (Fasting and praying is like every other dimension of worship.)
1. We desire a deeper relationship with God so we choose fasting and prayer as one of the options available to us to accomplish that goal.
2. We disassociate ourselves with other things for a while so we can focus more on God. It’s as if we’re saying, "God, I don’t even care about food right now I want to desperately walk in your presence."
3. That’s when we develop a closer walk with God. We begin to "see His face" - which is the way the Word describes our relationship when we draw close to God.
4. Walking more closely to God brings about a transformation in our character. Fasting and prayer doesn’t change God - it changes us!
5. We’re now transformed to the place God can bless us with answers to our prayers.
Where before we weren’t able to receive certain things - now we are!
We were like a bucket that had a hole in it but it has been repaired and now it can be used to carry something.When we walk and talk with God great things happen in our lives!Our relationships with others improve.
That’s because as we walk with God we become more like Him who treats others right.This wasn’t happening in Isaiah’s day.And it wasn’t happening in Jesus’ day either.
"How terrible it will be for you teachers of the law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest part of your income, but you ignore the important things of the law - justice, mercy, faith. You should tithe, yes, but you should not leave undone the important things." (Matthew 23:23 NLT)
Jesus could have said the same thing about fasting. [After all Jesus said, "When you fast", not "if you fast." (Matthew 6:16)]
"You should fast, yes, but you should not leave undone the other important things."
· It’s important to help the needy.
· It’s important to treat others fairly.
· It’s important to be kind to others and try to get along with one another.
How can we improve in these areas? We can improve in these areas by improving our walk with God.
All for Jesus
Phil
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Now is the time for a check up
Hello Everyone,
I read a statement in a book that I am reading. The writer had gone to great lengths to tell of Israel’s failure to eradicate the enemy in Canaan when God had declared that all the land was theirs. He said this.
“Everything goes downhill when we accommodate-rather than eradicate-the enemy within”.
Taking time to search our hearts our actions our motives to see if there is any evil way in them.In Isaiah’s day the people were complaining that their prayer and fasting hadn’t been effective.
They were complaining in such a way as to insinuate it was God’s fault!
They were thinking passively.
"God, you should be answering our prayers. Haven’t you seen us fasting? Haven’t you seen us going without food to get answers to our prayers?
God, it’s not fair. We’re fasting - but you’re not answering!"
We need to stop and have a reality check.Yes God sees fasting. But He sees a whole lot more!
Isaiah 58:
· He sees our exploitation of others. (Verse 3)
· He sees our quarreling and strife. (Verse 4)
· He sees our injustice and oppression. (Verse 6)
· He sees it when we withhold food, clothing and shelter from the poor. (Verse 7)
God sees. What a sobering truth.
In her book, "A Closer Walk", Catherine Marshall writes: "One morning last week God gave me an assignment: for one day I was to go on a fast from criticism.
I was not to criticize anybody about anything."For the first half of the day, I simply felt a void, almost as if I had been wiped out as a person. This was especially true at lunch...I listened to the others and kept silent...In our talkative family no one seemed to notice. I noticed that my comments were not missed. The federal government, the judicial system, and the institutional church could apparently get along fine without my penetrating observations. But still I didn’t see what this fast on criticism was accomplishing - until mid-afternoon."That afternoon, a specific, positive vision for this life was dropped into my mind with God’s unmistakable hallmark on it - joy! Ideas began to flow in a way I had not experienced in years. Now it was apparent what the Lord wanted me to see. My critical nature had not corrected a single one of the countless things I found fault with. What it had done was to stifle my own creativity."
The next realization in reality prayer and fasting is this:
OUR IMPROPER ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS OFTEN STAND IN THE WAY OF GOD ANSWERING OUR PRAYERS.
All for Jesus
Phil
I read a statement in a book that I am reading. The writer had gone to great lengths to tell of Israel’s failure to eradicate the enemy in Canaan when God had declared that all the land was theirs. He said this.
“Everything goes downhill when we accommodate-rather than eradicate-the enemy within”.
Taking time to search our hearts our actions our motives to see if there is any evil way in them.In Isaiah’s day the people were complaining that their prayer and fasting hadn’t been effective.
They were complaining in such a way as to insinuate it was God’s fault!
They were thinking passively.
"God, you should be answering our prayers. Haven’t you seen us fasting? Haven’t you seen us going without food to get answers to our prayers?
God, it’s not fair. We’re fasting - but you’re not answering!"
We need to stop and have a reality check.Yes God sees fasting. But He sees a whole lot more!
Isaiah 58:
· He sees our exploitation of others. (Verse 3)
· He sees our quarreling and strife. (Verse 4)
· He sees our injustice and oppression. (Verse 6)
· He sees it when we withhold food, clothing and shelter from the poor. (Verse 7)
God sees. What a sobering truth.
In her book, "A Closer Walk", Catherine Marshall writes: "One morning last week God gave me an assignment: for one day I was to go on a fast from criticism.
I was not to criticize anybody about anything."For the first half of the day, I simply felt a void, almost as if I had been wiped out as a person. This was especially true at lunch...I listened to the others and kept silent...In our talkative family no one seemed to notice. I noticed that my comments were not missed. The federal government, the judicial system, and the institutional church could apparently get along fine without my penetrating observations. But still I didn’t see what this fast on criticism was accomplishing - until mid-afternoon."That afternoon, a specific, positive vision for this life was dropped into my mind with God’s unmistakable hallmark on it - joy! Ideas began to flow in a way I had not experienced in years. Now it was apparent what the Lord wanted me to see. My critical nature had not corrected a single one of the countless things I found fault with. What it had done was to stifle my own creativity."
The next realization in reality prayer and fasting is this:
OUR IMPROPER ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS OFTEN STAND IN THE WAY OF GOD ANSWERING OUR PRAYERS.
All for Jesus
Phil
Monday, January 12, 2009
Chocolate Milk
Hello Everyone,
As most of you know we have declared a fast for AFA. Already I have had testimonies of some drawing closer to God and, different ways that our church is fasting.
I guess one of the greatest sacrifices that I have heard so far is from our three year old grandson Steele. They had a family meeting and Jeremy was discussing with them what they wanted to do for the fast. As they were saying different things that they could give up Steele said he would give up chocolate milk. Trust me for Steele that is a great sacrifice. He also declared that he was going to win the fast because he was faster than anybody. Oh well out of the mouth of babes.
As we read the Word we see that fasting ranges in different lengths of times and restrictions. There are 40 day fast, 21 day fast, 14 day fast, 10 day fast, 7 day fast 3 day 1 day and half day.
“To fast,” means primarily not to eat, that is what is considered the normal fast abstaining from all forms of food, but not water.
“The absolute fast” is abstaining from drinking as well as eating.
Acts 9:9
“And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank”
Queen Esther instructed Mordecai, “Hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my hand maids will also fast as you do” Est. 4:16
Let me ask you a question what is the difference between passive thinking and active thinking?We’re thinking passively when we believe things are always happening "to" us.We’re thinking actively when we believe our actions have an effect on the things that happen in our lives.Active thinking involves taking personal responsibility for some of the things in our life.
Being an active thinker instead of a passive one determines whether we will be a "victor" or a "victim" in life.
Our problems will either defeat us or develop us depending on whether we are active or passive thinkers.WE MUST TAKE SOME PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HAVING OUR PRAYERS ANSWERED.
WE MUST BE ACTIVE THINKERS REGARDING OUR PRAYER LIFE.We know that God is the one who answers prayer.
What we are saying is that we have some responsibility in having our prayers answered. We cannot afford to be totally passive in our thinking.
We must become active thinkers when it comes to asking so God will answer.
Join us at AFA for the next few days till 1/21 and fast and pray and expect a mighty move of God in your life and your church and your community.
Read Isaiah 58:1-14
All for Jesus
Phil
As most of you know we have declared a fast for AFA. Already I have had testimonies of some drawing closer to God and, different ways that our church is fasting.
I guess one of the greatest sacrifices that I have heard so far is from our three year old grandson Steele. They had a family meeting and Jeremy was discussing with them what they wanted to do for the fast. As they were saying different things that they could give up Steele said he would give up chocolate milk. Trust me for Steele that is a great sacrifice. He also declared that he was going to win the fast because he was faster than anybody. Oh well out of the mouth of babes.
As we read the Word we see that fasting ranges in different lengths of times and restrictions. There are 40 day fast, 21 day fast, 14 day fast, 10 day fast, 7 day fast 3 day 1 day and half day.
“To fast,” means primarily not to eat, that is what is considered the normal fast abstaining from all forms of food, but not water.
“The absolute fast” is abstaining from drinking as well as eating.
Acts 9:9
“And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank”
Queen Esther instructed Mordecai, “Hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my hand maids will also fast as you do” Est. 4:16
Let me ask you a question what is the difference between passive thinking and active thinking?We’re thinking passively when we believe things are always happening "to" us.We’re thinking actively when we believe our actions have an effect on the things that happen in our lives.Active thinking involves taking personal responsibility for some of the things in our life.
Being an active thinker instead of a passive one determines whether we will be a "victor" or a "victim" in life.
Our problems will either defeat us or develop us depending on whether we are active or passive thinkers.WE MUST TAKE SOME PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HAVING OUR PRAYERS ANSWERED.
WE MUST BE ACTIVE THINKERS REGARDING OUR PRAYER LIFE.We know that God is the one who answers prayer.
What we are saying is that we have some responsibility in having our prayers answered. We cannot afford to be totally passive in our thinking.
We must become active thinkers when it comes to asking so God will answer.
Join us at AFA for the next few days till 1/21 and fast and pray and expect a mighty move of God in your life and your church and your community.
Read Isaiah 58:1-14
All for Jesus
Phil
Friday, January 9, 2009
It is time to fast
Hello Everyone,
Reading along with our Bible Reading Plan we read this week in
Ezra 8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. 22 For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.” 23 So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.
As most of you know I have declared a 10 day fast starting this Sunday 1/11at 6:00pm until Wednesday 1/21 at 6:00pm.
In our Bible reading we see a fast declared. One of the reasons for the fast was “to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones”.
Just as then we are living in a time where our children need direction from God more than ever before. With all that the world is doing to attract our children away from the things of the living God, and the Church, and at the same time the enemy is working over time trying to deceive them with fame and fortune, we must seek God on their behalf. I am not talking only about our young children at home but also our grown children who are now on their own.
And then it goes on to say “and all our possessions”.
The economy is the hot topic world wide right now and probably for months to come. But as believers you and I can believe for God to break through on our behalf. As we bring our tithe into the store house we can trust God to supernaturally remember us in these times.
So the reason for this fast is “that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions”.
I want to challenge you to come to our special called service this Saturday night at 6:00. And enter into this fast that one of our men said to me is not a sacrifice but a joyous time with God.
Be praying for the up coming services and what God wants to do in your life.
23 So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.
All For Jesus
Pastor Phil
Reading along with our Bible Reading Plan we read this week in
Ezra 8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. 22 For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.” 23 So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.
As most of you know I have declared a 10 day fast starting this Sunday 1/11at 6:00pm until Wednesday 1/21 at 6:00pm.
In our Bible reading we see a fast declared. One of the reasons for the fast was “to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones”.
Just as then we are living in a time where our children need direction from God more than ever before. With all that the world is doing to attract our children away from the things of the living God, and the Church, and at the same time the enemy is working over time trying to deceive them with fame and fortune, we must seek God on their behalf. I am not talking only about our young children at home but also our grown children who are now on their own.
And then it goes on to say “and all our possessions”.
The economy is the hot topic world wide right now and probably for months to come. But as believers you and I can believe for God to break through on our behalf. As we bring our tithe into the store house we can trust God to supernaturally remember us in these times.
So the reason for this fast is “that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions”.
I want to challenge you to come to our special called service this Saturday night at 6:00. And enter into this fast that one of our men said to me is not a sacrifice but a joyous time with God.
Be praying for the up coming services and what God wants to do in your life.
23 So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.
All For Jesus
Pastor Phil
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
It is still the Blood
Hello Everyone,
One more thing happened at Gilgal. Read with me Joshua 5:10-11.
10 On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover. 11 The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain.
We must keep the blood at the center of all that we do and believe.
Passover celebrated God’s protection and provision.
You remember the story how the Hebrew people smeared lamb’s blood on their doorposts to protect them form the death angel it was the last plague against Egypt.
God had declared, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt” (Exodus 12:13)
Only the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed on the cross of Calvary 2000 thousands years ago will protect you from the awful judgment of God for your sin.
We are not justified because of our good intentions.
We are not protected because of our tearful appeals.
We can do no works to merit God’s favor.
ONLY the BLOOD puts us in right standing with God.
ONLY the BLOOD washes away our sin.
ONLY the BLOOD can bring complete and total forgiveness.
As the Old Andrae’ Crouch song that we have sung so many times says, the blood of Jesus “reaches to the highest mountain” and “flows to the lowest valley”. That is why “it will never lose its POWER”.
The blood of Jesus Christ is strong enough to break the chains of drugs, alcohol, crime anything that holds you captive.
It overwhelms bad habits, it overwhelms bad financial strongholds, and it overwhelms bad friendships.
It is the Passover that exceeds any Passover meal, freeing us from the punishment we deserve.
It is the center of our hope and faith in Christ.
It is God’s provision for all the messes we find our selves in.
When we stand on the principals of Gilgal,
praise for all His past blessings,
a sincere heart that repents of sin,
and a full faith in the blood of Jesus Christ and all He accomplished on the Cross-
We are then standing in the perfect place where God can bless us in the Year of Our Lord 2009.
We then are ready to enter “more”.
All For Jesus
Phil
One more thing happened at Gilgal. Read with me Joshua 5:10-11.
10 On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover. 11 The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain.
We must keep the blood at the center of all that we do and believe.
Passover celebrated God’s protection and provision.
You remember the story how the Hebrew people smeared lamb’s blood on their doorposts to protect them form the death angel it was the last plague against Egypt.
God had declared, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt” (Exodus 12:13)
Only the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed on the cross of Calvary 2000 thousands years ago will protect you from the awful judgment of God for your sin.
We are not justified because of our good intentions.
We are not protected because of our tearful appeals.
We can do no works to merit God’s favor.
ONLY the BLOOD puts us in right standing with God.
ONLY the BLOOD washes away our sin.
ONLY the BLOOD can bring complete and total forgiveness.
As the Old Andrae’ Crouch song that we have sung so many times says, the blood of Jesus “reaches to the highest mountain” and “flows to the lowest valley”. That is why “it will never lose its POWER”.
The blood of Jesus Christ is strong enough to break the chains of drugs, alcohol, crime anything that holds you captive.
It overwhelms bad habits, it overwhelms bad financial strongholds, and it overwhelms bad friendships.
It is the Passover that exceeds any Passover meal, freeing us from the punishment we deserve.
It is the center of our hope and faith in Christ.
It is God’s provision for all the messes we find our selves in.
When we stand on the principals of Gilgal,
praise for all His past blessings,
a sincere heart that repents of sin,
and a full faith in the blood of Jesus Christ and all He accomplished on the Cross-
We are then standing in the perfect place where God can bless us in the Year of Our Lord 2009.
We then are ready to enter “more”.
All For Jesus
Phil
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Walking in Obedience
Hello Everyone,
The second lesson of Gigal shows up in Joshua chapter 5:1-9 read with me.
1 Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until we had crossed over, their hearts melted and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites. 2 At that time the LORD said to Joshua, "Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again." 3 So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth. 4 Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of military age—died in the desert on the way after leaving Egypt. 5 All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the desert during the journey from Egypt had not. 6 The Israelites had moved about in the desert forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the LORD. For the LORD had sworn to them that they would not see the land that he had solemnly promised their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. 7 So he raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised. They were still uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised on the way. 8 And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed. 9 Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." So the place has been called Gilgal to this day.
The generation that had come out of Egypt had forgotten something along the way. During the forty years they spent wandering in the desert, they stopped practicing the sign of the covenant God had made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
That sign was circumcision.
To be a Hebrew male meant being circumcised.
But as sons were born during the wilderness wanderings, God’s people failed to honor their covenant obligations.
So now it is like God is saying, “Stop everything. This generation is living in disobedience. Don’t take another step until you straighten this out.”
When Joshua had circumcised all those who where supposed to have been, the Lord responded with, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” (5:9)
Listen: Your holiest days will be your happiest days.
The people of Israel got right with God at Gigal, and then they were ready to go out and conquer the land.
You do not need to pray about things that God has already called sin.
God lovingly calls us to obedience. He never gives UP.
The fact of His Holiness can never be compromised!
To reject God’s requirements does not set us free to enjoy our independence. Instead it puts us evermore into a deeper bondage.
Only when we are in obedience to His commands are we truly free to live in His blessings and go forward.
Don’t take another step into 2009 if you are in disobedience go back and do what God has said to do.
And then you will be in the “Place of God’s Blessing” in this New Year.
All For Jesus
Phil
The second lesson of Gigal shows up in Joshua chapter 5:1-9 read with me.
1 Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until we had crossed over, their hearts melted and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites. 2 At that time the LORD said to Joshua, "Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again." 3 So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth. 4 Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of military age—died in the desert on the way after leaving Egypt. 5 All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the desert during the journey from Egypt had not. 6 The Israelites had moved about in the desert forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the LORD. For the LORD had sworn to them that they would not see the land that he had solemnly promised their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. 7 So he raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised. They were still uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised on the way. 8 And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed. 9 Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." So the place has been called Gilgal to this day.
The generation that had come out of Egypt had forgotten something along the way. During the forty years they spent wandering in the desert, they stopped practicing the sign of the covenant God had made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
That sign was circumcision.
To be a Hebrew male meant being circumcised.
But as sons were born during the wilderness wanderings, God’s people failed to honor their covenant obligations.
So now it is like God is saying, “Stop everything. This generation is living in disobedience. Don’t take another step until you straighten this out.”
When Joshua had circumcised all those who where supposed to have been, the Lord responded with, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” (5:9)
Listen: Your holiest days will be your happiest days.
The people of Israel got right with God at Gigal, and then they were ready to go out and conquer the land.
You do not need to pray about things that God has already called sin.
God lovingly calls us to obedience. He never gives UP.
The fact of His Holiness can never be compromised!
To reject God’s requirements does not set us free to enjoy our independence. Instead it puts us evermore into a deeper bondage.
Only when we are in obedience to His commands are we truly free to live in His blessings and go forward.
Don’t take another step into 2009 if you are in disobedience go back and do what God has said to do.
And then you will be in the “Place of God’s Blessing” in this New Year.
All For Jesus
Phil
Monday, January 5, 2009
Look Back At The Stones
Hello Everyone,
At Gilgal, Joshua followed God’s command to take twelve large stones from the middle of the Jordain River-which God had miraculously divided to allow his people to cross on dry land-and set them up as memorial stones.
The purpose of the stones was to ignite discussion with the next generation:
“In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean? Tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord” (Joshua 4:6-7)
When they would do this they would be reinforcing the miracle of God’s power and provision.
These stones were not idols to be worshiped.
They were a testimony to the faithfulness of the one and only true God!
They gave reason to give praise to God.
Instead of looking at the battles ahead of them and worry about what was going to happen they could focus on the twelve stones, and their fears would evaporate.
Their God had stopped the flood stage Jordan so they could cross over! Surely He could stop the arrows, spears, and rocks of the enemy, too!
In our times of confrontation with those things that would try to come against us it would be best NOT to focus on the troubles lined up against us.
Instead, we need to celebrate the God who has already demonstrated His POWER and PROVISION in our past.
We do not need to be fretful or anxious.
We need to anchor our hearts and minds in God’s overwhelming track record.
Your Bible says, “Come near to God and He will come near to you” (James 4:8)
Apparently not all Believers live the same distance from God.
As we live a life FULL of praise and thanksgiving for God’s past mercies and blessings we experience God coming closer to us in the present.
What a difference it would make if we would simply paused once an hour or so to say, “Thank you Lord for being so good to me! I give You praise!”
Just think how much more the Joy of the Lord and the Peace of the Lord would be ours all day long.
Yes we will have problems in 2009, it is inevitable. But instead of worrying about what we are facing are going to face look at the difficulties in the reality of ALL that God has done for us in the past.
Look at the STONES that you have for a testimony of God’s faithfulness!
Be “happy in God” on the fact of His faithfulness up to now-that is the first lesson of Gilgal.
Certainly each of us has at least twelve stones of Gods faithfulness in our lives.
I am looking forward to a great New Year, but first I must pause and look back at the Faithfulness of God in the past.
All For Jesus
Phil
At Gilgal, Joshua followed God’s command to take twelve large stones from the middle of the Jordain River-which God had miraculously divided to allow his people to cross on dry land-and set them up as memorial stones.
The purpose of the stones was to ignite discussion with the next generation:
“In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean? Tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord” (Joshua 4:6-7)
When they would do this they would be reinforcing the miracle of God’s power and provision.
These stones were not idols to be worshiped.
They were a testimony to the faithfulness of the one and only true God!
They gave reason to give praise to God.
Instead of looking at the battles ahead of them and worry about what was going to happen they could focus on the twelve stones, and their fears would evaporate.
Their God had stopped the flood stage Jordan so they could cross over! Surely He could stop the arrows, spears, and rocks of the enemy, too!
In our times of confrontation with those things that would try to come against us it would be best NOT to focus on the troubles lined up against us.
Instead, we need to celebrate the God who has already demonstrated His POWER and PROVISION in our past.
We do not need to be fretful or anxious.
We need to anchor our hearts and minds in God’s overwhelming track record.
Your Bible says, “Come near to God and He will come near to you” (James 4:8)
Apparently not all Believers live the same distance from God.
As we live a life FULL of praise and thanksgiving for God’s past mercies and blessings we experience God coming closer to us in the present.
What a difference it would make if we would simply paused once an hour or so to say, “Thank you Lord for being so good to me! I give You praise!”
Just think how much more the Joy of the Lord and the Peace of the Lord would be ours all day long.
Yes we will have problems in 2009, it is inevitable. But instead of worrying about what we are facing are going to face look at the difficulties in the reality of ALL that God has done for us in the past.
Look at the STONES that you have for a testimony of God’s faithfulness!
Be “happy in God” on the fact of His faithfulness up to now-that is the first lesson of Gilgal.
Certainly each of us has at least twelve stones of Gods faithfulness in our lives.
I am looking forward to a great New Year, but first I must pause and look back at the Faithfulness of God in the past.
All For Jesus
Phil
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year
Hello Everyone,
This time of year, after the overindulgence of the holidays we make resolutions to change our habits and our way of life. A new year gives us an opportunity to start fresh and better ourselves. But come the middle of January we somehow forget our resolutions and go back to our old ways.
I want to challenge you at the beginning of this New Year to make a commitment to be planted in the house of the Lord.
Read Psalms 92:13-15 with me:
13 Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing,
15 To declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. NKJV
Read verse 15with me one more time: To declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. NKJV
This is the year to let your old rivers dry up and new rivers bust open out of your inner most being to make a new plan for you for all time.
God is able to do this by His Spirit for us.
15 To declare that the LORD is upright;
We read about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob:
Ø Abraham was the father of all.
Ø Isaac was the seed of all.
Ø Jacob was the failure of all.
But you never find God mentioning Abraham and Isaac without bringing in Jacob.
Can Jacobs be changed? YES!
That is the plan of God to change the Jacobs and make them Israel’s and plant them in the House of the Lord.
May Your God give you a Blessed and Happy New Year
Phil
This time of year, after the overindulgence of the holidays we make resolutions to change our habits and our way of life. A new year gives us an opportunity to start fresh and better ourselves. But come the middle of January we somehow forget our resolutions and go back to our old ways.
I want to challenge you at the beginning of this New Year to make a commitment to be planted in the house of the Lord.
Read Psalms 92:13-15 with me:
13 Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing,
15 To declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. NKJV
Read verse 15with me one more time: To declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. NKJV
This is the year to let your old rivers dry up and new rivers bust open out of your inner most being to make a new plan for you for all time.
God is able to do this by His Spirit for us.
15 To declare that the LORD is upright;
We read about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob:
Ø Abraham was the father of all.
Ø Isaac was the seed of all.
Ø Jacob was the failure of all.
But you never find God mentioning Abraham and Isaac without bringing in Jacob.
Can Jacobs be changed? YES!
That is the plan of God to change the Jacobs and make them Israel’s and plant them in the House of the Lord.
May Your God give you a Blessed and Happy New Year
Phil
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