I share this story not as a brag, or sensationalize my life in anyway. I only with to share this to warn believers of the reality of spiritual warfare that is occurring everyday. Let me start by saying Satan and God are not equal, Satan’s cannot in anyway defeat the Lord and has NO power of any equal level of God. The war if you will is for our souls and who we will serve for eternity. That being said I want to share an experience that has forever changed my life and made my walk with Christ more real and life changing that it has ever been.
I lost my teaching job in May of 2017, and throughout the summer I applied for other teaching jobs, but to no avail. As August approached, I became desperate, now at this time I was not walking in the light of Christ, but was serving my flesh and not pleasing my Father in heaven.
One night when I was crying out to anyone that would listen, I was visited by a figure wrapped in light. I knew it wasn’t Christ, but at the time didn’t know who it was. The figure spoke and named itself as wisdom, and wanted me to give myself over to it and he would get me a job back in teaching. At first this seemed like a good idea, but something prevented me from making the deal. I began researching the entity, and to my shock (at the time) this entity was identified not as wisdom, but at Lucifer, or the light bringer. It was at that moment, I realized how far from God I was walking, and like the prodigal son, I ran back home and my Father took me back. Since that time struggles I have had my entire life with pornography, and other sins of the flesh, lost their hold on me and for the first time I am completely free from them. Once I realized how easy it was to fall into a place where you can’t get back from, from surrenderering my soul to the enemy and turning back on my God, because the enemy came in like a friend not an enemy.
Since that night I have learned more about my spiritual authoirity and where I am supposed to be living in the spirit, I am living more victoriously than I ever had in all my adult life. Beloved, the enemy desires not only your soul, but the souls of your family, and he will come in not dressed in red tights, carrying a pitchfork, instead he comes as a friend, with a solution to your problem, the only problem is the price is too high.
If you are going through a trial and the enemy shows up trying to cut a deal, remind him, that you have been given authority is your don’t believe it read Luke 10:19 take your authority and put him on the run. I know who true wisdom is, and the true light is, and I want to share this with all of you.
Praise God, I am free and you can be free to in Jesus’s Name!!!
Eric
Monday, January 22, 2018
Friday, January 19, 2018
Am I Crazy???
David, a man after God’s heart was running for his life, seems like he did a lot of that, and he finds himself in the court of his old enemy’s the Philistines. Knowing they would rather see him dead, David plays as a mad man. Imagine this once great hero, drooling, running around clawing at doors, all so they won’t execute him and buy him some time. You can read the story for yourself in 1 Samuel 21-24. I want to focus on the Psalm he writes while being crazy, and how it helps bring the life God wants us to live in focus.
Verse 1 starts with the the words, “I will praise the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.” How often should we praise the Lord, according to David at all times. Paul will echo these words in Philppians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.” It is easy to focus on what is going wrong in our world and become complainers, but David says live a life of praise to our Lord. If you woke up this morning, praise Him, if you have decent health, praise Him, look at what He has already done for you and be thankful for that. As the day progresses you will see His hand more and more blessing you.
Verse 2 “I will boast in the Lord; the humble will hear and be glad.” We spend so much time bragging on our kids, our jobs, the stuff we have or our accomplishments, that we spend very little time bragging on the one who truly deserves it. The kids, the job, our stuff or anything else we have is a gift from His hand, not ours. We should brag on God’s faithfulness, and His ability to provide our daily needs, and protect us from the things that would intend to do us harm. Before David faced Goliath, he told Saul, that a bear and a lion had attempted to take sheep, and the Lord helped David to dispatch them, he didn’t give credit to his ability as a shepherd, but in His God’s ability! We can do nothing of ourselves, but it is Christ who works in us, and through us.
Verse 3 “Proclaim Yahweh’s greatness with me; let us exalt His name together.” Our individual lives of praise should move into a corporate idea, as others begin to sing His praises as well. Even if you can’t think of a reason to praise God, seeing someone else praise, we are instructed to rejoice with them. As we lift Him up together it changes the atmosphere of the our circumstances. Soon we no longer see our problems, but we see our God, and His glory. Yet in most churches when we see someone worshipping we have the tendency to say why we can’t join in, wonder why they are, or just ignore them all together. Thus many churches are missing their visitation, because they are not worshipping the Lord and welcoming His presence transforming the visitation into a manifestation of the Power of a living God!!!
If this lifestyle is that of a crazy person, then sign me up. The unsaved will not understand this idea, and may even think that we have lost our minds, but I would rather have the Lord’s hand on my than all the things this world can offer. There is so much more in this Psalm, that we will focus on in later posts. So today, ask yourself are you crazy, or are you normal for this world.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
Verse 1 starts with the the words, “I will praise the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.” How often should we praise the Lord, according to David at all times. Paul will echo these words in Philppians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.” It is easy to focus on what is going wrong in our world and become complainers, but David says live a life of praise to our Lord. If you woke up this morning, praise Him, if you have decent health, praise Him, look at what He has already done for you and be thankful for that. As the day progresses you will see His hand more and more blessing you.
Verse 2 “I will boast in the Lord; the humble will hear and be glad.” We spend so much time bragging on our kids, our jobs, the stuff we have or our accomplishments, that we spend very little time bragging on the one who truly deserves it. The kids, the job, our stuff or anything else we have is a gift from His hand, not ours. We should brag on God’s faithfulness, and His ability to provide our daily needs, and protect us from the things that would intend to do us harm. Before David faced Goliath, he told Saul, that a bear and a lion had attempted to take sheep, and the Lord helped David to dispatch them, he didn’t give credit to his ability as a shepherd, but in His God’s ability! We can do nothing of ourselves, but it is Christ who works in us, and through us.
Verse 3 “Proclaim Yahweh’s greatness with me; let us exalt His name together.” Our individual lives of praise should move into a corporate idea, as others begin to sing His praises as well. Even if you can’t think of a reason to praise God, seeing someone else praise, we are instructed to rejoice with them. As we lift Him up together it changes the atmosphere of the our circumstances. Soon we no longer see our problems, but we see our God, and His glory. Yet in most churches when we see someone worshipping we have the tendency to say why we can’t join in, wonder why they are, or just ignore them all together. Thus many churches are missing their visitation, because they are not worshipping the Lord and welcoming His presence transforming the visitation into a manifestation of the Power of a living God!!!
If this lifestyle is that of a crazy person, then sign me up. The unsaved will not understand this idea, and may even think that we have lost our minds, but I would rather have the Lord’s hand on my than all the things this world can offer. There is so much more in this Psalm, that we will focus on in later posts. So today, ask yourself are you crazy, or are you normal for this world.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
Saturday, January 6, 2018
Which Tabernacle are you worshiping at?
In my study today, the Lord posed me an interesting question. Which tabernacle are you worshiping at? Are you at the Tabernacle of Moses or the Tabernacle of David? He then began directing my study to show me the difference and I want to share that briefly with you. Hebrews 12:18-22 gives a description of the two tabernacles.
THE TABERNACLE OF MOSES.
The tabernacle of Moses kept the people separated from the presence of God. Only the priests could enter the Holy Place and only the Chief Priest could enter the Holy of Holies where the Ark was kept as a symbol of the presence of God. Hebrews talks about the fear the people had about hearing God speak. I feel this tabernacle is all about separation of people from the presence of God, in today's church we have multiple denominations that keep us separated by doctrine, or race. In all the churches we are content with a brief visitation of the Holy Spirit, over a true manifestation of the Spirit, YET WE ARE CALLED FOR MORE!!!!
THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID.
David did somethings different under the direction of God. First the tabernacle was surrounded by people who worshiped and sang songs to the Lord 24 hours a day. Remember that God inhabits the praises of His people. Secondly, David raised the flaps of the tent up so all the people could see and experience the Glory of the Lord that surrounded the Ark of the Covenant. This idea of worship brought people together. How would the church world change if we simply got back to worshiping God, and allowed the Holy Spirit to teach us the Word so that we would set aside our petty doctrinal differences and become the family of the faith God intended. Acts reminds us they were in one place and in one mind, from that came a manifestation of God's power, not a quick in and out.
I find it interesting that all the prophecies about Tabernacles the only one God says that will be rebuilt is the Tabernacle of David. Amos 9:11 says "In that day I will restore the fallen booth of David: I will repair its gaps, restore its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old, " The word booth is usually translated tabernacle as in Feast of Tabernacles, as it was a tent or a booth. I believe God is calling the church back to worship, allowing the presence of God to fill and change us. His presence will bring in the lost, His presence will heal the sick, His presence will change the hard hearted and in His presence we find joy unspeakable. In this day and age this is what the Body of Christ needs, we don't need more programs, or stuff, just the true manifestation of God in our services, our lives, our families and as He gets control of us, our nation.
So today I want you to answer the same question, which tabernacle are you worshiping at? Allow His spirit and word to minister and speak to you as you answer this question. I know I want to be like David in Psalms 91 and dwell in the shadow of the Almighty forever as I sing and worship in His presence.
Grace and Peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
THE TABERNACLE OF MOSES.
The tabernacle of Moses kept the people separated from the presence of God. Only the priests could enter the Holy Place and only the Chief Priest could enter the Holy of Holies where the Ark was kept as a symbol of the presence of God. Hebrews talks about the fear the people had about hearing God speak. I feel this tabernacle is all about separation of people from the presence of God, in today's church we have multiple denominations that keep us separated by doctrine, or race. In all the churches we are content with a brief visitation of the Holy Spirit, over a true manifestation of the Spirit, YET WE ARE CALLED FOR MORE!!!!
THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID.
David did somethings different under the direction of God. First the tabernacle was surrounded by people who worshiped and sang songs to the Lord 24 hours a day. Remember that God inhabits the praises of His people. Secondly, David raised the flaps of the tent up so all the people could see and experience the Glory of the Lord that surrounded the Ark of the Covenant. This idea of worship brought people together. How would the church world change if we simply got back to worshiping God, and allowed the Holy Spirit to teach us the Word so that we would set aside our petty doctrinal differences and become the family of the faith God intended. Acts reminds us they were in one place and in one mind, from that came a manifestation of God's power, not a quick in and out.
I find it interesting that all the prophecies about Tabernacles the only one God says that will be rebuilt is the Tabernacle of David. Amos 9:11 says "In that day I will restore the fallen booth of David: I will repair its gaps, restore its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old, " The word booth is usually translated tabernacle as in Feast of Tabernacles, as it was a tent or a booth. I believe God is calling the church back to worship, allowing the presence of God to fill and change us. His presence will bring in the lost, His presence will heal the sick, His presence will change the hard hearted and in His presence we find joy unspeakable. In this day and age this is what the Body of Christ needs, we don't need more programs, or stuff, just the true manifestation of God in our services, our lives, our families and as He gets control of us, our nation.
So today I want you to answer the same question, which tabernacle are you worshiping at? Allow His spirit and word to minister and speak to you as you answer this question. I know I want to be like David in Psalms 91 and dwell in the shadow of the Almighty forever as I sing and worship in His presence.
Grace and Peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
A personal note and observation
While reading the book of Mark, I am struck by the crowds that followed Jesus, desiring to see and hear him. They would even press in to the point they couldn't eat in the house that Jesus was in. Mark 3:20-21. Then I hear stories of churches in other countries where the people will stand nearly on top of each other to hear the gospel being preached, and hearing the stories of the power of God being openly demonstrated after the preaching. Then I look around the church, low attendance, powerless worship, and people who see this as a ritual and an interruption to their weekends.
Even at Christmas time, we are so busy with plays, presents, shopping and parties, that we rarely stop and thank God that HE sent His only Son to eventually would die to set us free. Believers who are simply living not actively seeking His return, or even expecting it. Like the Jewish believers who grew up hearing about the coming Messiah, many had simply given up hope, or created their own theories to make the prophecies fit their world. Yet, the fact remains that Jesus is coming soon, and He will collect His bride who is actively living and looking for Him.
Christmas for many has become a time of hopelessness and sadness, as they can't keep up with the Jones, or perhaps life has thrown so many punches it seems easier to stay down and await the count out. I understand this feeling better than most, in May I was released from the only profession I have ever known, trying to make a go in a profession that lives on commission only, proffered by people who make big promises, but join it with empty actions. I look as my wife is struggling to make her check and the little I make, to pay all that needs to be paid, and STILL give Christmas to family and friends. I can understand how some feel the need to give up, I can honestly say, I would rather just go home with Christ, than feel the way this makes me feel sometimes.
I have to focus on that my sustenance is not given to me by the job, but by the Hand of God who provides all my daily needs. I can say if you are going through a hard time, chin up, we serve a God who says He has good thoughts toward us, and He has plans for us, its just we aren't always privy to them. Yet He reminds us that He is faithful, and He doesn't change, and the promises in Christ are yes and amen. I'll make you a promise, you pray for me and I'll pray for you, that 2018 will be the year of yours and mine jubilee, that we will have a breakthrough into a time of blessing that will erase every sad thought we have had this year.
Feel free to let me know in the comments, or via email your thoughts, requests and answers and we will stand together believing that our miracle is on the way. As the song says, "He's an on time God" and Gold City added "In time, On Time, Everytime."
Grace and peace be multiplied to your.
Eric
Even at Christmas time, we are so busy with plays, presents, shopping and parties, that we rarely stop and thank God that HE sent His only Son to eventually would die to set us free. Believers who are simply living not actively seeking His return, or even expecting it. Like the Jewish believers who grew up hearing about the coming Messiah, many had simply given up hope, or created their own theories to make the prophecies fit their world. Yet, the fact remains that Jesus is coming soon, and He will collect His bride who is actively living and looking for Him.
Christmas for many has become a time of hopelessness and sadness, as they can't keep up with the Jones, or perhaps life has thrown so many punches it seems easier to stay down and await the count out. I understand this feeling better than most, in May I was released from the only profession I have ever known, trying to make a go in a profession that lives on commission only, proffered by people who make big promises, but join it with empty actions. I look as my wife is struggling to make her check and the little I make, to pay all that needs to be paid, and STILL give Christmas to family and friends. I can understand how some feel the need to give up, I can honestly say, I would rather just go home with Christ, than feel the way this makes me feel sometimes.
I have to focus on that my sustenance is not given to me by the job, but by the Hand of God who provides all my daily needs. I can say if you are going through a hard time, chin up, we serve a God who says He has good thoughts toward us, and He has plans for us, its just we aren't always privy to them. Yet He reminds us that He is faithful, and He doesn't change, and the promises in Christ are yes and amen. I'll make you a promise, you pray for me and I'll pray for you, that 2018 will be the year of yours and mine jubilee, that we will have a breakthrough into a time of blessing that will erase every sad thought we have had this year.
Feel free to let me know in the comments, or via email your thoughts, requests and answers and we will stand together believing that our miracle is on the way. As the song says, "He's an on time God" and Gold City added "In time, On Time, Everytime."
Grace and peace be multiplied to your.
Eric
Friday, December 8, 2017
Who do you say I am?
Bells are ringing, and Christmas music is flooding the radio stations and shopping malls across the land. The stressed out hustle and bustle of people shopping and running through the malls, buying stuff that will probably only be appreciated for a month or two before taking up space somewhere in the house. Politicians fight and argue about Nativity Scenes, and whether we say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. Yet all the while one simple truth is being missed! Who is this holiday truly about? Most people simply focus on the birth, then wait for Easter to consider the resurrection, if they stop to think about it all.
In Matthew 16:30 Jesus asks a very simple question. "When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” NKJV. This begs the question, who does the world at large say Jesus is? Some just see Him as a helpless baby lying in the manger, hanging out waiting for shepherds and wise men. Sadly, some never move Jesus from the manger, but leave Him there. The reason, I believe, is that if He's allowed to grow up, He might start wanting them to change how they live, on a daily basis.
Once Jesus asks the question, He gets the standard answers. Some people say He's a reincarnated person, in this case John the Baptist, never mind they lived at the same time. I have heard people say, that Jesus was in the long line of reincarnated masters, who show up from time to time to teach us the way to live. Hate to bust the bubble of that group, but Jesus died for our sins, ascended to the Father and sits at the right hand of the throne. Now He is coming back, but the next time as to establish His kingdom.
The next person they thought he was was a prophet like Elijah. These people recognize that Jesus has come from God, and has a specific ministry, but will stop short of truly recognizing Christ for who He truly is. Other religions will recognize Jesus as a great prophet, even Jesus' detractors were willing to give Him that, but like many today, to admit anything more might make them reevaluate their life choices and follow Christ.
Then Jesus turns the question personal, “But who do you say that I am?” (v. 15 NKJV) Now Jesus wants you to decide who He is. Peter declared "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (v.17 NKJV) Who do you believe that Jesus is? It is your personal belief and faith that creates your relationship with Him. Do you see your relationship with Christ as your elder brother through adoption, do you see Him as the only begotten son of the Father? Conversely, do you see Jesus as "Buddy Jesus", who is just your friend, and perhaps have treated Jesus flippantly, seeing His name more as a by-word expressing surprise, or worse!
Why bring this up now? Although, Christ wasn't born on December 25, and for sure wasn't visited by shepherds, wise men and Santa Claus, and I am pretty sure a tree wasn't involved. However, this is the way many "Christians" see Christmas and how its celebrated. I'm not worried about who says Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, because they are just words. I am more concerned about the state of your heart. Who do you say Christ is that we celebrate at CHRISTmas? Have you trapped Him in the Manger, made him the 12 year old at the Temple, the adult teacher, hanging on the cross, left in tomb, resurrected, or do you have Him as the risen King of Kings and Lord of Lords who has ALL AUTHORITY??
So as this season kicks off and you get lost in madness, stop each day and ask yourself, "Who do I say He is?", then celebrate accordingly.
Grace and Peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
In Matthew 16:30 Jesus asks a very simple question. "When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” NKJV. This begs the question, who does the world at large say Jesus is? Some just see Him as a helpless baby lying in the manger, hanging out waiting for shepherds and wise men. Sadly, some never move Jesus from the manger, but leave Him there. The reason, I believe, is that if He's allowed to grow up, He might start wanting them to change how they live, on a daily basis.
Once Jesus asks the question, He gets the standard answers. Some people say He's a reincarnated person, in this case John the Baptist, never mind they lived at the same time. I have heard people say, that Jesus was in the long line of reincarnated masters, who show up from time to time to teach us the way to live. Hate to bust the bubble of that group, but Jesus died for our sins, ascended to the Father and sits at the right hand of the throne. Now He is coming back, but the next time as to establish His kingdom.
The next person they thought he was was a prophet like Elijah. These people recognize that Jesus has come from God, and has a specific ministry, but will stop short of truly recognizing Christ for who He truly is. Other religions will recognize Jesus as a great prophet, even Jesus' detractors were willing to give Him that, but like many today, to admit anything more might make them reevaluate their life choices and follow Christ.
Then Jesus turns the question personal, “But who do you say that I am?” (v. 15 NKJV) Now Jesus wants you to decide who He is. Peter declared "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (v.17 NKJV) Who do you believe that Jesus is? It is your personal belief and faith that creates your relationship with Him. Do you see your relationship with Christ as your elder brother through adoption, do you see Him as the only begotten son of the Father? Conversely, do you see Jesus as "Buddy Jesus", who is just your friend, and perhaps have treated Jesus flippantly, seeing His name more as a by-word expressing surprise, or worse!
Why bring this up now? Although, Christ wasn't born on December 25, and for sure wasn't visited by shepherds, wise men and Santa Claus, and I am pretty sure a tree wasn't involved. However, this is the way many "Christians" see Christmas and how its celebrated. I'm not worried about who says Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, because they are just words. I am more concerned about the state of your heart. Who do you say Christ is that we celebrate at CHRISTmas? Have you trapped Him in the Manger, made him the 12 year old at the Temple, the adult teacher, hanging on the cross, left in tomb, resurrected, or do you have Him as the risen King of Kings and Lord of Lords who has ALL AUTHORITY??
So as this season kicks off and you get lost in madness, stop each day and ask yourself, "Who do I say He is?", then celebrate accordingly.
Grace and Peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
A blessing!!
Yesterday, I posted about passing the faith along from one generation to the next. Today I want to look out blessing your house by living in the Fear of the Lord. Again I want to say how grateful I am for the book by John Bevere that really got me thinking and meditating on the Fear of the Lord. Today I want to look at Psalms 112 to see how living in the fear and reverence of the Lord can impact our homes. Verse 1 starts with the words, “Hallelujah! Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by] is the man who fears the Lord [with awe inspired reverence and worship Him with obedience], who delights greatly in His commandments.” (AMP) Notice the first thing the psalmist says is how blessed this person in who lives in the Fear or awe inspired reverence and worship and then goes on in the remainder of the psalm to express how blessed they are. In today’s society where the home is under constant attack from all sides, this psalm should be alive and vibrant in every believer’s house but yet many Christian households are in worse shape than their non-Christian counterparts.
First, the Psalmist says their houses brim with wealth and generousity. I want to note it doesn’t say rich and living it up, I believe that as we live this lifestyle God will take care of our daily needs and make sure we have enough, not to hoarde up but to share with others who are in need. God doesn’t want to give to you for you to keep, He prefers to pour through you, to touch others.
Secondly, the text rendering in the Message, says “No shuffling or stumbling around for this one.” I believe this means that a home living this lifestyle, won’t be living in confusion, stumbling and fumbling trying to make things work. I can say, that in my past, my home life had lots of mis-fires, confusion and arguments that resulted from tying to figure out what to do next. The fear of the Lord means we ask Him before making decisions, follow His directions and watch Him direct our steps.
Thirdly, I notice the person living in the fear of the Lord, is “unfazed by rumor and gossip” (Msg) and “unperturbed, ever blessed, relaxed among enemies”. (MSG) Imagine, living in such a way, the rumors and gossip of others, doesn’t bother or even get your attention. A person living in the Fear of the Lord, worries more about what God thinks than they do about what others think. We see this in Daniel, the prophets, and Jesus, who simply lived lives of obedience to God, and wanted His approval not man’s.
The last thing I want to draw your attention to is the reaction of the world. The wicked sees the results and gets angry, or they “rage and bluster” (MSG). Why? A believer living contrary to the world system, will draw the ire of the prince of this world who only wants to steal, kill and destroy believers every chance he gets. So he has us chasing riches and wealth, living in a world ripe with gossip, and rumors, all the while treating the things of God with a flippancy that cheapens life as a whole. It is no wonder that so many believers are stressed beyond their max, and they are living beneath their privilege as children of the living God.
Today, I want to challenge you to live in the awe inspired reverence and worship of the Lord, put Him first in your life and live to please Him. Let Him handle the details. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” (NLT), the fear of the Lord means we trust Him completely knowing He can do all things simply because of who He is!!!!
Grace and Peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
First, the Psalmist says their houses brim with wealth and generousity. I want to note it doesn’t say rich and living it up, I believe that as we live this lifestyle God will take care of our daily needs and make sure we have enough, not to hoarde up but to share with others who are in need. God doesn’t want to give to you for you to keep, He prefers to pour through you, to touch others.
Secondly, the text rendering in the Message, says “No shuffling or stumbling around for this one.” I believe this means that a home living this lifestyle, won’t be living in confusion, stumbling and fumbling trying to make things work. I can say, that in my past, my home life had lots of mis-fires, confusion and arguments that resulted from tying to figure out what to do next. The fear of the Lord means we ask Him before making decisions, follow His directions and watch Him direct our steps.
Thirdly, I notice the person living in the fear of the Lord, is “unfazed by rumor and gossip” (Msg) and “unperturbed, ever blessed, relaxed among enemies”. (MSG) Imagine, living in such a way, the rumors and gossip of others, doesn’t bother or even get your attention. A person living in the Fear of the Lord, worries more about what God thinks than they do about what others think. We see this in Daniel, the prophets, and Jesus, who simply lived lives of obedience to God, and wanted His approval not man’s.
The last thing I want to draw your attention to is the reaction of the world. The wicked sees the results and gets angry, or they “rage and bluster” (MSG). Why? A believer living contrary to the world system, will draw the ire of the prince of this world who only wants to steal, kill and destroy believers every chance he gets. So he has us chasing riches and wealth, living in a world ripe with gossip, and rumors, all the while treating the things of God with a flippancy that cheapens life as a whole. It is no wonder that so many believers are stressed beyond their max, and they are living beneath their privilege as children of the living God.
Today, I want to challenge you to live in the awe inspired reverence and worship of the Lord, put Him first in your life and live to please Him. Let Him handle the details. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” (NLT), the fear of the Lord means we trust Him completely knowing He can do all things simply because of who He is!!!!
Grace and Peace be multiplied to you.
Eric
Monday, December 4, 2017
Passing the Faith Along!!
As I was reading Deuteronomy in my private time, I was struck by the amount of time Moses spends on the topic of the Fear of the Lord. In verses 2, 13, and 24. Notice what he says.
Do this so that you may fear the Lord your God all the days of your life by keeping all his statutes and commands I am giving you, your son, and your grandson, and so that you may have a long life.(CSB) The same text in the Message
This is so that you’ll live in deep reverence before God lifelong, observing all his rules and regulations that I’m commanding you, you and your children and your grandchildren, living good long lives.
In this text God wanted Israel to pass their reverence of God, their obedience to God, and His expectations from one generation to the next. This was to help pass along their experiences in following God and obeying God. God wants to move the teaching from experiential to being alive on the heart and being part of the thought process. How different from today, the way God is presented as my "buddy" and we don't respect Him as the creator of the universe. We have decided to make God into our image, rather than us being in the image of God.
I have been working in church all my life and recently I fell away, and part of the reason, I lost my respect for God, forsook worshiping Him. Along the way, God decided to let me have that time as a learning experience. What I saw was that people, who didn't serve God, but served other deities, but did so with respect and honor. When God called me back to Him through Jesus, I was acutely aware of the church's lack of fear of the Lord.
We start late most services, joking about C.S.T. (Christian Standard Time), people sit in the sanctuary and joke and play, and wonder why we don't see the power of God in our services. As I have been in my private time, God has dealt with my attitude, and has brought me into a new place of respect and awe of His power and His grace. I just heard a person say that we approach God as consumers, what we can get out of God, not as a people to worship God.
Moses warns people that they are moving into cities, and houses they didn't build, drink from wells they didn't dig, and eat from gardens they didn't plant, and they would be tempted to forget God. After this warning Moses restates to fear the Lord, he isn't talking about scared fear, but a reverential awe of who He is, that keeps us from living willy nilly, and grace balances so that we don't live in legalism.
Today as a 3rd generation Pentecostal, I have attended churches, I didn't build, and heard sermons, and read books, that I didn't study and allow God to speak to me directly, I just accepted their word and believed they were right. In my private time, He has had me reading the scriptures without my own "glasses" own, but allowing Him to teach me. He has also really made me more respectful and in awe of what He did in my life and what He is doing in me on a daily basis. Expand this out to the larger country, we haven't taught our children to respect God or anyone else, so should we be surprised at the lack of respect for others we are seeing today. The scary thing is one day they will be in charge, if our society makes it that far.
Today, as you reflect on your relationship to God, ask yourself how you view your heavenly Father, and be honest. Perhaps as you see Him as He is, you will find yourself in His presence more. I also recommend reading John Bevere's book on the Fear of the Lord for a more detailed discussion on the topic as a whole.
Grace and Peace be multiplied to you.
Do this so that you may fear the Lord your God all the days of your life by keeping all his statutes and commands I am giving you, your son, and your grandson, and so that you may have a long life.(CSB) The same text in the Message
This is so that you’ll live in deep reverence before God lifelong, observing all his rules and regulations that I’m commanding you, you and your children and your grandchildren, living good long lives.
In this text God wanted Israel to pass their reverence of God, their obedience to God, and His expectations from one generation to the next. This was to help pass along their experiences in following God and obeying God. God wants to move the teaching from experiential to being alive on the heart and being part of the thought process. How different from today, the way God is presented as my "buddy" and we don't respect Him as the creator of the universe. We have decided to make God into our image, rather than us being in the image of God.
I have been working in church all my life and recently I fell away, and part of the reason, I lost my respect for God, forsook worshiping Him. Along the way, God decided to let me have that time as a learning experience. What I saw was that people, who didn't serve God, but served other deities, but did so with respect and honor. When God called me back to Him through Jesus, I was acutely aware of the church's lack of fear of the Lord.
We start late most services, joking about C.S.T. (Christian Standard Time), people sit in the sanctuary and joke and play, and wonder why we don't see the power of God in our services. As I have been in my private time, God has dealt with my attitude, and has brought me into a new place of respect and awe of His power and His grace. I just heard a person say that we approach God as consumers, what we can get out of God, not as a people to worship God.
Moses warns people that they are moving into cities, and houses they didn't build, drink from wells they didn't dig, and eat from gardens they didn't plant, and they would be tempted to forget God. After this warning Moses restates to fear the Lord, he isn't talking about scared fear, but a reverential awe of who He is, that keeps us from living willy nilly, and grace balances so that we don't live in legalism.
Today as a 3rd generation Pentecostal, I have attended churches, I didn't build, and heard sermons, and read books, that I didn't study and allow God to speak to me directly, I just accepted their word and believed they were right. In my private time, He has had me reading the scriptures without my own "glasses" own, but allowing Him to teach me. He has also really made me more respectful and in awe of what He did in my life and what He is doing in me on a daily basis. Expand this out to the larger country, we haven't taught our children to respect God or anyone else, so should we be surprised at the lack of respect for others we are seeing today. The scary thing is one day they will be in charge, if our society makes it that far.
Today, as you reflect on your relationship to God, ask yourself how you view your heavenly Father, and be honest. Perhaps as you see Him as He is, you will find yourself in His presence more. I also recommend reading John Bevere's book on the Fear of the Lord for a more detailed discussion on the topic as a whole.
Grace and Peace be multiplied to you.
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