The Command To Pray Always- A personal testimony

 

I once thought of Paul's statement to "Pray Always" as absurd.

WHAT?? Pray Always? Are You Nuts? How can a person pray always? In First Thessalonians 5:17, Jesus told his disciples a parable about their need to pray.  His exact words were to, "Pray without ceasing." Then in Philippians 4:6, Paul said something very similar, "IN EVERYTHING, in EVERY SITUATION BY PRAYER and thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  Notice, nowhere in either scripture is there is an exception to the rule. It says always, in everything, in every situation, etc.  Does this sound a little impossible for you to always pray about everything?  Isn't that being a little extreme? It sure seems so! It did until I began following the principle of praying about things small and things big.  There was a time I asked some of the same questions I bet you are thinking right now! ...Questions like: Does that mean we should even pray for our pets? What clothes to buy when we go shopping? Where we should go on vacation? The answer is a simple yes and it will all become clear by the end of this blog.

I remember a lady I used to work with at a major insurance company.  She was a born-again Christian. For months I observed that she always prayed over her lunch before beginning to eat.  But I also noticed every day her lunch consisted of the same thing:  cabbage soup! YUCK! One day out of curiosity I asked her how she could eat that nasty cabbage soup every day and why did she always bring the same thing.  Thinking she was low on funds, I was ready to write her a check for groceries.  Without a blink, she confessed that God told her to eat that particular soup. With a slight tone of sarcasm, I replied, "GOD TOLD YOU TO EAT THAT SOUP?" "Oh yes," she said adamantly. "I ask Him every day what to eat for my body and I pray over it."  Curious, I came back with, "WHY??"  Her answer then is the same as what I am telling you today, "Pray without ceasing and in everything by prayer and thanksgiving make your request known to God." It has been 21 years since we worked together and she is still eating cabbage soup to this day. Do you think she was being extreme? Just recently I learned that every one of her siblings and both parents have passed away of colon cancer except her. Her doctor told her that her diet of cabbage soup is the only reason he can account for her being free of the disease which has stricken all of her relatives!  It is very easy to be a skeptic but God is pleased when we bring every aspect of our lives before Him in prayer.  We don't have to worry that we are bothering Him with trivial matters. In this world, we have a lot on our plates as Christians besides just living our normal everyday lives.  Look how much is going on all at once in the world, in the nation, in the church, in the middle east, in our families, and our own lives. God is concerned about everything we do, every decision we make no matter how trivial or unimportant you may think it is.  Do you understand this?  Do you really understand how important prayer is?  You may be asking why we should pray about something as silly as what clothes to buy or when choosing a vacation destination. It is because everything we do or decide affects us. From the smallest decision to the biggest, and as Christians, we should be dependent upon our heavenly Father.  It's walking in obedience to what His Word says. As an example of how decisions can affect you from the smallest to the greatest, look at the idea of praying before shopping for clothes.  I want to help you understand the purpose and power of prayer.  Praying will not only assist you, but it will also give you a sense of control and confidence.  

  

I'm sure I'm not alone when I say my funds are limited and that I must be a good steward of my money, accounting carefully what comes in and what goes out. Employment and incomes can be completely unreliable.  Some of you do not know what next month will look like. So with that, consider this when shopping: 

POINT #1. Because our economy and incomes have become less reliable, this should teach us to completely rely on God. 

POINT #2. We need His wisdom. James 1:5 says, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given him".  I need His wisdom more than ever, in every area of my life, and certainly including what I put into my shopping cart.

POINT #3. I want to be a good steward of what He has blessed me with and in a way that honors Him! How can that be you ask? If I am wise with my money, making wise financial shopping choices, it frees up more funds for others...for the poor, the needy, and the ministry. Proverbs 10:3 promises that the Lord will not let the righteous go hungry!  No matter how much I have given to help people in obedience to Jesus' Word, I have never gone without.  My needs are always met.

POINT #4. We should be incredibly thankful for His provision. Remember, He said "EVERY SITUATION BY PRAYER and thanksgiving." I can't just throw whatever I want or desire into my cart that I lay my eyes on. If we focus on how much God has blessed us with, it will cure any temptation to adopt a "woe is me" kind of attitude when we cannot have something we don't really NEED.  Instead of pouting about things you must walk past in the grocery aisle, thank Him on the spot that you are not going hungry and you are feeding your family.  There is nothing like reviewing the faces of hungry and impoverished African children in your mind to make you feel rich beyond belief. Be Thankful.

POINT #5. Remember the poor and needy. The goodness of the Lord is all around us.  We should be incredibly thankful we have never lived a life of poverty as such as the children of Sudan!  And though you may have enough to buy what you need to eat, still cover the matter in prayer.

  

When I tell people the Lord wants them to pray about things such as their pets, where to shop, what to get, and everything that concerns them, then positive things are the result, they begin to see God as a warm, loving Parent to whom they can run with the smallest care.  We have all been taught as we grow up we should become less and less dependent upon our parents. However, in God's Kingdom, as we mature spiritually we are EXPECTED to become more and more dependent upon our heavenly Father! And one way we do that is by laying all of our requests and prayers before Him.  Since I began praying about everything, I have seen God work miracles in situations that I would never have dreamed of praying for years ago.   Here is a personal experience. Many of you who have connected with my Facebook page know I adopted a dog named, Mario. What some of you don't know is that I prayed before finding him by honoring the exercise of "in everything by prayer and thanksgiving make your request known to God." My request was more detailed than just simply wanting to rescue and adopt a dog. Because I needed several things to fall in place perfectly. I decided to literally pray for a special dog. A dog that met several requirements even though the dog had never met me before. Namely: a dog that would not only be housebroken but one that was cat friendly and wouldn't kill my two cats. A dog that would immediately accept my blind and deaf dog and not see her as weak prey and attack her. A dog that would adapt to my disability of using a wheelchair, a dog that already knew several commands, one that would sleep all night from day one, one who would adjust quickly, not be food aggressive, and lastly... a dog who would literally jump onto a golf cart and ride with me though he or she had never seen one before AND be happy doing it!  You can see, my request was not only unconventional and unusual....it was impossible for anyone but God! After all, who tosses a dog out or abandons and gives one away that's perfect in every area like that? But, in faith, I used my power of prayer and believed "THAT" dog existed, and if anyone knew where that dog was, it was God! After all, He is aware of all things and can see all things.  His eyes can see the entire plant. There had to be one perfect dog to fit my needs. After praying (Philippians 4:6), I thanked God and told Him I would watch and wait to find "that" dog. Every day, for three consecutive months I searched online rescues believing my perfect dog was there and that God would lead me to him.  And though I was adamantly looking in the small dog listings for three months, one day I heard a voice prompting me to go look in the "big dogs" section.  Initially, I balked! Big dog? No, I don't want a big dog.  I had never owned or wanted a big dog and was not interested in the amount of yard clean up there is with a big dog, the amount of food they consume, or the higher medical cost for everything they need simply because of their size. For an additional 4-5 days that urge to go look in the big dog section hounded me. It was so strange! Then it dawned on me and I said to myself, "Oh I get it!! Duh.  I bet there is a small dog in the big dog listing that was misplaced and accidentally put into that section! THAT'S PROBABLY MY DOG AND IT WILL BE GOD'S WAY OF TELLING ME HE PURPOSELY PLACED HIM THERE FOR ME TO KNOW THAT'S HIM. A LITTLE DOG STANDING OUT AMONG ALL THE BIG DOGS" Man, was I excited! I just knew my small dog would be there.  A sweet little thing that would fit perfectly on the golf cart seat. I couldn't hit the keys on my computer fast enough to arrive at the heading "Big Dogs."  My anticipation level was so high.  Click click click I was flipping past Great Danes, Shepherds, Burmese Mountain dogs, Pinschers, and Sheepdogs.  No small dog!  Where was my little buddy?  

 

I went back through the list a second time in case I overlooked him in my excitement.  I went slower this time, and while searching I saw an unusual looking, beautifully colored, big dog.  I don't know what he was, but his coat was beautiful.  Too big though, much too big. I remember saying to myself, "Can you imagine the poop piles you'd get from that guy?" I chuckled and moved on.  But honestly, over the next several days I could not get that dog off my mind.  I kept going back to look at him.  His coat was so beautiful!! Too big though, much too big.  That's what I kept telling myself until I finally said, "Surely this isn't THE dog you have chosen for me, is it Lord?  It can't be. I mean, he is too big.  I don't like big dogs, you know that....too much maintenance!"  The longer I looked at him, the longer I questioned to myself, the more I reasoned within myself, "Why do I keep getting drawn to this big 'ol dog? I told myself, 'asking questions about the dog isn't a commitment!  Nothing says I am adopting.  I'll call and ask about this dog because there is a reason I can't get him off my mind!' And so I did.  The rest is history!  I adopted him. Today he weighs 120 pounds!  A far cry from a 5-pound Chihuahua!

Some reading my blog may be thinking..."Well, she never got her small dog and so she thinks her prayers were answered?" Yes, "I" wanted a smaller dog, but THE PERFECT dog with all the attributes I prayed for happened to be in a bigger body! He was the one that fit all the requests I petitioned of God. Only God could know this!  And though things didn't turn out exactly as I had envisioned my life with a small dog, God knew Mario was the perfect fit for me. Had I not listened to that Voice in me (His Leading), I would have missed His blessing! Mario is THE PERFECT dog.  The beauty of prayer is leaving things, even the smallest of trivial things in God's hands and trusting Him and His perfect will. Because I was willing to hear Him and trust His leading, I now have the perfect Dutch Shepherd/Mastiff mix that loves my cats, became the guide for my blind and deaf Boston Terrier, rides on my golf cart with me, helps to balance me when I stand from my wheelchair, he is 100% trained, has never gone potty in the house, on and on.  He is one HUNK OF BURNIN' LOVE!!  Mario was God's choice, HIS perfect choice all because I trusted Him and prayed for something as seemingly as far-fetched as a dog that could match every need I had.  Do you still think it's stupid to pray about the smallest things? I hope not. Begin praying about all things ... decisions, choices, needs, wants, desires, and thank God before you ever receive an answer. TRUST that God will answer what is best for you even though you may think it's not exactly how you imagined it should be. God will always do what's best for you, and THAT is as good as you could ever hope for.

Until He comes,

-Pat-

When Satan Uses Scripture

 Every morning when I wake up I turn on my audio Bible to feed my spirit. Yesterday morning I randomly chose the book of Luke. I settled back on my pillow, turned up the volume, and listened intently. When I had reached the fourth Chapter there were certain words that rang out with such familiarity. Satan was quoting words to Jesus that I immediately recognized as words elsewhere in the Bible. Wait!!  Was Satan quoting scripture of the Lord to the Lord? Where had I heard those words before? I knew right away! It was Psalm 91. Here is what I noticed. Luke Chapter 4, verses 9,10,11 speaks of the time the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. In his 3rd attempt to get Jesus to sin, Satan brought Jesus to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, "If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, 'He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee. And in their hands, they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.'" Now listen to Psalm 91, "For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone." At this point, I had to stop my audio Bible. I said to myself, 'Satan is quoting scripture from Psalm 91! He's quoting the Word of God to Jesus!"  I know this because Psalm 91 is my favorite prayer and I have it memorized. Why would Satan quote scripture to God? But he is evil. How can he know the Word of God?

From the beginning of his ministry (Matthew 4:1–11) to the end (Luke 22:3), Jesus was in conflict with the powers of darkness. And it is the clear teaching of the apostles, Peter (1 Peter 5:8), James (James 4:7), John (1 John 2:13; 3:8; 5:18), and Paul (1 Thessalonians 3:5) that Satan is against the church and must be resisted by faith and the Word of God. We do well to know Satan's tactics. For example, I know how well Satan knows the Bible and how he loves to quote Scripture in order to destroy faith. Satan does not always try to ruin faith by saying, “The Bible isn’t true.” He often tries to destroy our faith by affirming some passage and using it to lead us into disobedience. All Christians obtain life from God’s Holy Word. We die without it. As Christians, we will not let it be taken from us. We will go to jail rather than stop reading it. So what does Satan do? His aim is to destroy our faith. The word of God alone keeps faith alive. The Bible says Faith comes or is built BY HEARING the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Believers cleave to it and Satan cannot tear it away. So Satan studies it. How else could he quote Psalm 91:11–12 to Jesus? He studies it. And he studies how to distort it and pervert it by plausible misinterpretations. And, they must be plausible. He is not so happy when his sub-demons put absurd misinterpretations into our heads because they are far too easily discerned and corrected.

What makes Satan happy is when he can get Christians to believe that Proverbs 15:6 justifies the accumulation of wealth in a world of hunger; that 2 Thessalonians 3:10 abolishes charity; that Romans 9:16 makes evangelism superfluous; that 1 Timothy 2:4 means God is not sovereign in conversion; that John 10:28 means a “Christian” can do whatever he wants and still be saved; and hat Hebrews 6:4–6 means there is no security and assurance for God’s elect. Is it a sobering thought that the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17)? Yes! And indeed it is. What did Jesus say when Satan quoted Scripture? He said: “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test’” (Matthew 4:7). LOOK AT THAT CLOSELY ONE MORE TIME. Jesus quoted Scripture against Satan’s use of Scripture! Jesus knows the Bible better than Satan. What is the ramification for us? Think about it! We cannot believe everyone who can quote you a text. That would include famous TV evangelists and pastors. History is strewn with cults who twisted the Scriptures to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16). Not every pastor and not every wealthy TV evangelist speaks the unadulterated truth. Oftentimes their message is laden with misinterpretations or just enough deception to tickle your ears and turn you toward a direction that's misguided! Read through the Bible and ask yourself continually how this part fits with that part and that with this. It is when the pieces start to fit together that we are most secure from distortion.

I suggest that each of us fast and pray that God will open our eyes to see true and wonderful things in His word (Psalm 119:18). Obey what you do understand and you will understand more. Don't believe every spirit but try the spirits to see if they are of God (1 John 4:1). Satan is so so cunning. He catches the wise in their own craftiness (Job5:13) The serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so even your minds may also be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3). We should no longer be children tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, or in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting (Ephesians 4:14). The Bible predicted a time coming in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 when people would not endure sound doctrine. Instead, having itchy years desire to hear only what they wanted to hear (throwing out the rest) and lean toward teachers and pastors who would suit their own desires. By so doing, they would turn away from the truth in God's Word to fables and myths! I'm afraid that time is now. As we approach the end times, we must continually guard against deception, especially since some of Satan's ministers are able to convincingly perform miracles. We are warned to cling to the faith once delivered, guarding against destructive heresies.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

The Breath Of Life

 

One summer when I was at our local park with my dogs, I ran across a small doe that had been shot and killed by what appeared as a high powered rifle. It was a horrific kill. The shooter missed the area of the heart which hunters know is the most humane way to take a deer down because it's fast, precise, and usually causes the animal no suffering. Not so with the doe. The location where the killer's bullet entered, the visual damage and carnage I saw, plus her hollow eyes spoke to my spirit and told me of the suffering, confusion, and fear this animal experienced before she died alone in an open field. Staring at her lifeless, ravaged, body, my lips began to quiver as a tear rolled off my chin to the ground. For what reason was she slaughtered and left to suffer a senseless death? I began to ponder, did she have a spirit, and if so, where did it go? Have you ever wondered those things about the animals God created for us, including your own pet cat, dog, rabbit, hamster, lizard, etc?  Well, I have.  Today I want to talk about the "spirit of life" as mentioned in the Bible and hopefully help give you a sense of what it means.

 

The climax of God's creative work, His best and most extraordinary work of all, was the creation of man ... you and me. We are a result of His breath, "The Spirit of Life."  Genesis 2:7 "The LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul". God did two things in creating mankind.  First He FORMED him from the dust of the ground, and, second, He BREATHED HIS OWN BREATH into the nostrils of Adam.  This distinguished man from all other creatures God had made.  This one scripture contains three significant facts about man's creation:

First, God and God alone created man. The man did not evolve from other creatures. 

Secondly, impersonal forces did not form man. All the cells, DNA, atoms, molecules, hydrogen, protons, neutrons, or electrons did not create man!  These are only the substances that makeup man's physical body.  The LORD God 'formed' man. The LORD God created the substances, and then He used those substances to create man.  The Hebrew word for 'formed' in my Concordance is yatsar, which means "to mold, shape, or form." It brings to mind the image of a potter who has the intelligence and the power to form his creation. God is the Master Potter (Isaiah 64:8) who had the image of man within His mind and who possessed the power and the intelligence to bring that image to life! God had both the omniscience (all-knowing) and the omnipotence (all-power) to do exactly what He wanted. 

Third, God breathed His own breath (SPIRIT) of life into man.  Man is more than "dust" or physical substance.  Man has a spirit. Adam's body had just been formed by God from the dust of the earth -- a lifeless human body lying on the ground.  Then God leaned over and "breathed" His own "breath of life"/Spirit into the man's nostrils and man became a LIVING SOUL Genesis 2:7 KJV.  The word soul in Hebrew is nephesh, meaning "an animated, breathing, conscious, and living being." Man did not become a "living soul" UNTIL God breathed life into him.  As a physical, animated, rational, spiritual being, man is unique among all the living things on earth.  

There are several things that make humans unique that mirror the Father. I'll list a few of them:

A.Nothing  else on earth laughs! We laugh at blunder, jokes, silly faces, etc. 

B. Nothing else on earth can imagine an idea then invent or create that idea. We have created automobiles, space stations, skyscrapers, dams, medicines. 

C. Nothing else on earth knows spiritual/moral right from spiritual/moral wrong.  We do because it is innate within us. 

D. Nothing else knows God exists and has made everything around us.  We do because we pray, worship, and thank Him though we have never seen Him. And no other creation communes with the God of the universe.  We do, as many talk to Him on a daily basis asking for favors, asking for advice, pleading for help, telling Him how their day was, etc.  All mankind seeks God in one way or another. Our spirits long to commune with our Creator.  Some call it a higher power. 

It's obvious then, having the ability to create something from nothing, to know and commune with God, to have joy and laughter, to know what's right, and to steer away from wrong exudes the qualities that God Himself breathed into us.

 

 

So, what is the breath of God?  It is the life and power of God, given to man to animate him.  The Hebrew word for spirit is ruach, which means "wind, breath, air, spirit." The life of God lives on and on.  The immaterial part of man was designed to live eternally because it is the life of God.  IT CANNOT DIE!  It goes on eternally in heaven or eternally in hell. Many believe when we die, that's it; life is over.  Oh no! The spirit of LIFE cannot end as the body does, because that life is the life God breathed into mankind. What about the doe I saw in the park or any other animal? Do our pets live after physical death? I can share what scripture reveals. Animals are called "living creatures" in Genesis and if you also recall, there are "living creatures" in heaven recorded in Revelation.  Listen to these words directly from God: "Now behold, I Myself do establish My covenant with you, with your descendants after you; and with every 'living CREATURE' (soul/nephesh) that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of ALL that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth"(Genesis 9: 9-10).  God's covenant was even with the animals! Animals may not have a fallen spirit that needs redemption as man does (because man fell from grace spiritually) but animals do have a soul - they breathe, and they have life- they are animated and capable of relationships. Animals have personalities and emotions that we experience including love/caring, jealousy, obedience, protectiveness, rebellion, insecurity, contentment, affection, loyalty, playfulness, independence, dependence, selfishness, sharing, etc.  Look at your own dog or cat! Amazing, isn't it? Look up Luke 12:6 and Matthew 10:29 and see what God says about something seemingly as insignificant as birds! Even sparrows are not forgotten by God.  Animals are important to God!  Had they not been, He would not have asked Noah to save them as they too were needed to replenish the earth!  Since man is made in the image of God, and since man can love an animal as much we love our fellow humans, such a bond is worthy of eternity in my opinion.  Why would God allow us to create love bonds with our pets and never have an option to see them again? 

 

Finally thoughts.  Part of being made in God's image is that Adam had the capacity, as do we, to make free choices. It's called free will. Animals don't have the capacity to know right from wrong. They simply have instinct. Animals cannot commit sin. Although Adam was given a righteous nature originally, Adam made an evil choice to rebel against His Creator.  In so doing, Adam marred the image of God within himself, and he passed that damaged likeness on to all his descendants (Romans 5:12).  Today, we still bear the image of God (James 3:9), but we also bear the scars of sin. Mentally, morally, socially, and physically we show the effects of sin. Not so with animals. Animals are innocent of sin.  Staring into the hollow, empty eyes of that doe whose soul no longer gave it animation, crushed my spirit. It was such an overwhelming feeling of sorrow that an innocent animal God had also created, died at the hands of a ruthless human also created by the hand of God. "The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty has given me life" Job 33:4.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Jesting

I was reading Ephesians and came upon the word "jesting." Do you know what it means? Is it sinful? According to Paul, it is not something followers of Christ should be doing. So I was curious if I am guilty. Here are the verses pertaining to jesting, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye, therefore, partakers with them” (Ephesians 5:3-7).

I have to admit I had never stopped to think about the word jesting until the other day. After all, I know what fornication, all uncleanness, foolishness, and covetousness mean in the biblical verse, but I have always skipped over the word 'jesting' because I didn't think it applied to me. After all, I'm not guilty of those other things, so I've always assumed I must not be guilty of jesting either. I was about to unconsciously skip over the word again when my spirit spoke out within my mind, "Wait! Jesting. What is jesting?" So I looked into it. I learned some things that I would like to share with you because the Bible says that it (jesting) should not be named once among the saints. Because of the context in which Paul wrote Ephesians 5:4, we must conclude it resides within a discussion of ABSTINENCE from sexual temptations, jesting being one of those. What do I mean? Let me first define each word Paul addresses:

1. Fornication refers to any consummate sexual act outside of the marriage bond.

2. Uncleanness refers to acts which are less than fornication, but still sexual in nature.

3. Covetousness in this context refers to thoughts and lusts regarding uncleanness and fornication.

Remember, the very first thing forbidden to covet in the Ten Commandments is one’s neighbor’s wife (Exodus 20:17). Covetousness can, therefore, have reference to sexual desire as well as the desire for physical things and this context bears that out. Subsequent to the Bible text in question we have a repetition of the same warnings regarding fornication, uncleanness, and covetousness. Those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom and cannot be a part of God’s kingdom. They are as things which do not become saints Paul says! Those who practice such things merit the wrath of God. Those who practice such things are partakers with the children of disobedience. The Christian is admonished in the Bible not to be part of this type of mentality. Unfortunately, I have been guilty of jesting without realizing it was referred to in scripture. I think the Lord pointed this out to me because it has been completely overlooked by the saints of the Church and He wants to correct this error because such things do not represent children of God. Jesting is basically a double-meaning where something seemingly innocent is said, but it really has a second meaning that is sexual in nature. One meaning is usually shocking or risqué in its sexual suggestiveness. Another way or word of understanding jesting as described in Ephesians 5 is INNUEND0. A figure of speech in which a word or phrase can be understood in two ways. Ephesians also points out another kind of speech as well. The ESV Bible translates this verse as follows: “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.” What Christian reading this blog is still telling or listening to dirty jokes or sending the opposite sex flirtatious, unclean innuendos? 

What about the words filthiness or foolish talk? The word “filthiness” is a translation of a word that some scholars say is limited to speech. This is the only place where this word is found in the New Testament and it is within the context of speech. It has as part of its base the same stem that makes up the Greek word that we translate “shameful” and given the context, the shame would be in association with unlawful promiscuity. It is also rarely used in classical Greek as well and when it is, has reference to things that are lascivious in nature. Lasciviousness is wickedness, lewdness, and lustfulness. There is lasciviousness all around us. It’s all over the Internet, especially pornography web sites. It’s in magazines, movies, song lyrics, social media sites, etc. We hear about it even in schools and our workplace. Bad parents are letting their children indulge in lascivious behavior and immodest dressing. It is a sin that comes from the heart and before our eyes, we are starting to see it corrupt Christianity. It is excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures, worldliness, dressing sensually, sexual immorality and all who practice these things will not enter Heaven. We are seeing these things creep into Christianity because of false teachers and false believers. People who profess Jesus as Lord are turning the grace of God into lasciviousness. People think they can be saved and live like the devil. Wrong! Even the demons believe! Scripture makes it clear you will know them by their fruits. We are not to be like the world, we are to be different. We are to seek holiness. We are not to dress in a way that causes others to stumble. We are to be imitators of God, not culture. That includes refraining from sexual jokes.

The phrase “foolish talk” is a translation of one Greek word and is a fairly straightforward and literal translation. In this context, foolish talk would be anything that might embroil one in a situation where one would be tempted to commit some kind of sexual sin... obscene stories, coarse jokes, silly, vile remarks, etc. This word also is only used this one time in the New Testament of the Bible and its context would seem to define for us what it is referring to. In today’s world, we are seemingly bombarded endlessly with such nasty speech but Christians are falling into that trap as well.  Unfortunately, it comes to us from our work environment, from the places where we socialize, from our own television sets during popular sitcoms–there seems to be no end to the number of ways that men and women today can joke regarding things that are best left discussed in the privacy of the bedroom of a husband and wife. As Christians let's resolve to rid our minds of such thoughts and should we have such thoughts to never let them pass through our lips. And if we have been guilty of speaking in such a way in the past, let us strive to do better in this regard. Let us be careful in not posting questionable jokes or cartoons that would cause the world to doubt our professed Christianity. Let me add, in contrast to this type of base humor, there is nothing wrong with humor that is instructive and decent in nature. This passage does not deal with all kinds of humor, only with the kinds that involve matters of sexual promiscuity. For a Christian to tell a perfectly innocent joke to another Christian is often fun and can be instructive if the joke has a certain point that is being made regarding a particular kind of behavior. In closing, as Paul instructs the Church, do not allow jesting to be once named among you, as becometh saints. This was the message given to me when I read Ephesians 5.

Until He comes,

-Pat-

Deception

 If you were hungry and saw the apple above hanging from a tree, would you choose to pick and eat it? 

OR ...

Would you be more likely to choose this apple? 

I imagine, like me, your choice would be apple #2. Why would you choose the second apple and not the first? I imagine besides looking inauspicious and threatening, the ominous appearance probably leaves you feeling very uneasy! It gives the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen.  But what if I told you apple #1 and apple #2 were actually the same apple? It's just that the picture of apple #2 disguises its danger in hopes of deceiving you into taking a bite. Could apple #2 fool you into believing there is no threat or rottenness inside and thus it's safe to eat? Doesn't it look appealing and good enough to consume? In a spiritual sense, appearances mean nothing! Looks and appearances can be used to tempt us to sin. They suck you in with pleasantries. Remember Eve in Genesis 3:6? "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye" she did eat. It wasn't being tempted that brought death to Adam and Eve (we're all tempted in many ways and with many things), it was her following through ... when she finally took a bite and swallowed the forbidden fruit. The fruit was then inside her. Sin is no different. James 1:15 warns us, "Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin when it is finished, brings forth death." Or in simple terms, when a wrong desire has become more than a thought and you actually act upon and carry out that desire, it's finished. Death is imminent. Sin always disguises itself as something good, pleasurable, or exciting.

Each day we are met with the challenge of temptation and the potential of committing sin – 1 Pet. 5:8-9, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."  What brings about sin? "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed" James 1:14-15. We cannot blame anyone for our weaknesses but ourselves. We are responsible for our own actions. If you read the third chapter of Genesis, when God asked Adam and Eve if they had eaten of the forbidden fruit, Adam immediately blamed EVE for his actions, "The woman which Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree and I did eat."  Likewise, when God confronted Eve she blamed Satan (represented by the serpent) "The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat." Talk about passing the buck! Each person reading this blog is responsible for his or her actions. No exceptions. Temptations are inevitable. They are a part of life because sin entered the world. We are Satan's constant target. Scripture uses the terminology WHEN (we are tempted of Satan). There is no "if" we are, or "maybe" we will be. The word is WHEN. WHEN WE ARE TEMPTED. We must be ready! Ephesians 4:27 tells us, "Give no place to the devil." Notice the word GIVE? You have to give permission before Satan can overcome you! Committing a sin cannot be blamed on your upbringing, the bad life you experienced, the beers you drank one night, or the drugs you pushed into your arm. It wasn't the reefer you smoked or because your dad abandoned your family or molested you as a child. It's not because your horoscope says you are prone to a bad temper or anything else. Despite our weaknesses, there is help! James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” We must also put on our spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:11-18). Jesus totally understands how we fight and how we fail. Why? Because, "For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted." Remember, even Jesus was tempted but He didn't eat any forbidden fruit!

Even though we will be tempted, we don't have to give in. We can actually go to God the moment we need to overcome and walk away from temptations grasp. God's grace is sufficient! "For we don't have high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrew 4:15-16). Rarely does cunning and crafty Satan “slap us in the face” with the possibility of sin.  He doesn’t dump a cold bucket of iniquity on us – He sneaks up quietly on us! Satan draws us away from what is right. Temptation can be very strong so we must beware of over-confidence toward temptation, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12). Even Peter himself boasted he would never deny Jesus, yet look what he did the night Jesus was arrested. The scariest thing about temptation is that it is customized to fit each person! Did you know that? Satan will strike at you in your weakest area(s) to recommit the sins you've confessed and given your oath to abandon. When we come to Christ we confess our sins and basically promise the Lord, with His help, that we will abandon our old ways and follow Him. As we do this day to day, learning as we go, maturing in the spirit, we must learn also to deny self. Jesus said, "And He said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." NOTICE THE WORD DAILY? Daily we must follow and pray. Not occasionally, not only when disaster strikes or on a Sunday while in a church service; daily!!  If we are to have victory, we must stay in communion with the One who is there for us in time of need. The intentions of our heart can be a real challenge while we are here in the flesh, thus John's instructions: "Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). Scripture goes on to say, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." These are the exact three things Eve fell weak in.

And these are the same three general areas of lust that will tempt us! However, the Bible tells us that when we are tempted, God will always give us an escape option: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). No matter how tempted you may be in a situation, Jesus felt that same temptation. God promises us that no matter how hard the temptation is, He will always provide an escape route. We can always choose obedience over sin.

How can we respond to these temptations? The same way Jesus responded to Satan. When Satan tempted Him, Jesus took the Word of God and rebuked him. We should all have God’s Word in our minds and hearts, ready to speak, so that we can resist and rebuke Satan at every turn.  Remember, the Bible says this: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). We will not be removed from temptations but we can endure them and be blessed for doing so (James 4:7; John 17:14-16.) May God deliver you from temptation, and keep you from the evil one. "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23).

Until He comes,

-Pat-

Love Your Neighbor (Luke 10:25-37)

 Love Your Neighbor (Luke 10:25-37) What Does That Mean?

I was studying in the book of Luke this past week, chapter 10 to be exact, about the Good Samaritan. After Jesus gave this parable, a lawyer asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" And he asked this because Jesus was instructing that he should love God And HIS NEIGHBOR as Himself. Jesus' answer is quite interesting. If I simply took Jesus' words without giving them much thought, I might conclude that I indeed have loved my neighbor as myself as He instructed. I have generously helped them financially, with meals, volunteered to take on chores, I've even taught the Word. But if you look more closely at the words of Jesus, you realize He is not referring to your neighbor living in the house next to you per se, but His definition and meaning of the word "neighbor" go beyond one we've come to assume. WHO IS YOUR "NEIGHBOR?" Let's break it down.

This parable, only found in Luke's gospel, reveals God’s provision for a crime victim through the compassion of a foreign traveler. The traveler (the Good Samaritan) evidently has enough wealth to pay for a stranger’s medical care, and it follows immediately after Luke’s account of the Great Commandment. In the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, Jesus said the greatest commandment in all of scripture is to “love God” and “love your neighbor.” In Luke 10:25-37, the discussion of the greatest commandment continues directly into the Parable of the Good Samaritan. In Luke’s account, the lawyer begins by asking Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus asks the lawyer to summarize himself what is written in the law, and the lawyer returns with the Great Commandment “Love the Lord your God… and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus replies that this is indeed the key to life. The lawyer then asks Jesus a follow-up question, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus responds by telling a story which has been called “The Parable of the Good Samaritan.” This story is so compelling that it has permeated into popular knowledge far beyond Christian circles. People who have never picked up a Bible will still recognize the meaning of the term “Good Samaritan” as someone who takes care of a stranger in need.

Given the cultural idea of a “Good Samaritan” as someone with an extraordinary talent for compassion, we might be tempted to overlook the actual Samaritan in Jesus’ story. And yet it is important to our understanding of our own work to examine why the Samaritan Jesus describes was a successful businessman. The Samaritan in Jesus’ story comes upon the Jew injured by robbers along a well-known trading route. The Samaritan likely traveled that trade route often, as evidence by the fact that he was known at a nearby inn and deemed trustworthy enough by the innkeeper to demand an extension of services on credit. Whatever the nature of his business, the Samaritan was successful enough to be able to afford oil and wine for medicinal purposes and lodging at an inn for a complete stranger. He is willing to spend his money on the stranger, and his time too. The Samaritan puts his other business on hold to see to the needs of the injured stranger. The Parable of the Good Samaritan can thus be interpreted as a story about using our material success to benefit others. 

Consider this: 

1. The hero of the parable spends his money on a stranger without any direct obligation to do so.

2.  They are not related by kinship or even by faith.

In Biblical accounts, Samaritans and Jews were often antagonistic toward one another. And yet in Jesus’ mind, to love God is to make anyone who needs our help into our “neighbor.” Certainly not what I was taught growing up. Jesus emphasizes this point by reversing the thrust of the lawyer’s original question. The lawyer asks, “Who is my neighbor?” a question that begins with the self and then asks who the self is obligated to aid. Jesus in His wisdom,  reverses the question, “Which of the three was a neighbor to the man?” a question that centers on the man in need, and asks who is obligated to help him. If we begin by thinking of the person in need, rather than ourselves, does that give us a different perspective on whether God calls us to help?

Mind you, this doesn’t mean we are called to absolute, infinite availability. No one is called to meet all the needs of the world. It is beyond our capability. The Samaritan doesn’t quit his job to go searching for every injured traveler in the Roman Empire. But when he crosses paths—literally—with someone who needs the help he can give, he takes action. “A neighbor,” is someone whose needs you have the ability to meet! And isn't that love?

The Samaritan doesn’t just help the injured man by throwing a few coins his way. Rather, he makes sure all the man’s needs are cared for, both his immediate medical needs and his need for a space to recuperate. The Samaritan thus cares for the man as he might care for his own self ("love your neighbor as yourself" Leviticus 19:18). Also, be mindful that this Samaritan took on an extraordinary degree of risk to help this stranger. He risks getting jumped by the same bandits when he stoops to see what has happened to the man. He risks being cheated by the Innkeeper. He risks being saddled by the expense and emotional weight of caring for someone who has become chronically ill. But he takes on these risks because he acts as if his own life were the one in question. This is Jesus’ best example of what it might mean to be a neighbor to “love your neighbor as yourself. This world needs more of this love. 

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

How Much Do You Love God?

I love that I lose my breath every time I hear your voice. I want to breathe you again. You are the only person in the whole world who can delight me with love in every manner. The secret of your beauty lies in how you rapture me. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you. I can't for a moment, even contemplate being without you. When we are apart, my passion incinerates my whole body like a fire. Only in your arms can this fire be quenched.  

As you read the paragraph above, what came to mind? A Harlequin romance novel? A description of the first time you fell madly in love? A poem you wish you could have written in your last Valentine's day card? Are you thinking I have completely lost my mind because the words have no place in a Sunday Blog? Whatever those 94 words invoked, most of you probably assumed they were words associated with someone passionately in love. And if you did, you would be 100% correct. What some of you may not know or perhaps completely missed altogether is that I slipped part of a biblical scripture right in the middle of my made-up "poem."  That's right. Surprised? Psalms 42:1 "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God." But you couldn't tell I placed that scripture in there, could you? Why did I do it? Let's discuss it.

 

How much do you love God? How desperate are you for Him? Do you thirst for Him as a deer for streams of water? Are you glad to hear His voice when He speaks through His Word? Do you delight in knowing Him? Is He beautiful to you? Do you need Him like the air you breathe? This is where this Sunday Blog begins.

We tell people we love God. We profess our faith as Christians. We say Jesus Christ is our Savior. We even carry the title Christian and are willing to defend God's principles when challenged by each other. But what about when we are pressed by the world? There are some of us whose love and loyalty resemble the Apostle Peter's. When in a crowd of your peers and asked if you know Him, do you deny Him or at the very least, stand silent not wanting to be labeled as "one of those crazy Christians"? You might not be that extreme, but I challenge you to ask yourself some honest questions: 

Do I love God as much as I love my girlfriend or boyfriend?

As much as my husband or wife? 

My own children? 

Do I have a desire to be with Him like the longing I had to be near to my husband or wife before I married them? 

Am I hungry for conversation, prayer, or communion with God? 

Do I thirst and pant after His Word to quench my thirst for knowledge? 

Those are hard questions. Many of which we are willing to ignore. When I worked in the mental health field I knew of male patients who killed themselves because they learned their wives no longer loved them. Often they confessed (as expressed in chart notes) they could accept the fact their wife fell out of love, but they could not accept the rejection of not ever wanting to be seen again, or that they were now completely cut off and not allowed some sort of communication. To accept this abrupt conclusion was not psychologically doable for them. The feeling and realization they never existed or ever had a part of their wife's life were overwhelming. The wives could hate them but the men were desperate that it be acknowledged they still existed.  More often than not, those men who were completely forgotten were part of the suicide statistics. I witnessed the same pain in women who attempted suicide by slitting their wrist because they experienced a cheating husband or a bad breakup. And still, other's who had withdrawn and gone into isolation and deep depression over such betrayal and loss of attention. There were some so affected, that to even maintain partial ability to cope from day to day, had to be heavily medicated! 

People need love. We need connection and communication from those who mean most to us. God is no different. If we were made in His image and we need love, then God desires our attention, devotion, and love as well. Haven't you personally read of or know someone whose passion was so high that when they lost their spouse to someone else, murder resulted? Do you know of anyone who has that same driving passion (toward Jesus) of ... 'I can't live without you'? I'm talking about loving God so deeply that the pain and loneliness of having lost that relationship, or even losing the joy found in serving Him, drove them to sleeplessness as many of us have experienced when breaking up with someone we were crazy about? I admit that even today, 30 years later, I still feel the loss of falling in love with a man, then finding his desire was toward someone else and not me. 

When I view the news on TV and see large sums of people gather by the thousands for a rock concert where they are jumping, screaming and reaching out just to touch the artist I often ask in a sarcastic tone to anyone in the same room, "Do you think anyone would come in crowds like that to see or hear Jesus?" Yet, how easily we scream and literally faint sometimes over those who glorify drugs, lives a wayward lifestyle, and couldn't give two shakes about us. It's amazing how much time we give to things that in the end will not matter! Can you honestly say you love God more than your spouse? Are you thinking...' what a ridiculous question? it's not only impossible to love God like I love my spouse or even to that degree, but God would never expect such a thing!' 

Scripture: "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me" (Matthew 10:37) Have you forgotten that scripture? Does that scripture offend you? Confuse you? Is it one you reject or ignore? I think the message Jesus was relaying is this: In order to have a real, unadulterated love for God, all things of this world must be forsaken if their priority is of greater importance. 1 John 2:15, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the father is not in him." The material things we hold dear to our hearts are the most dangerous. They are the ones that take us away from Christ. Jesus does not mean that loving our families, spouse, children, or even the family dog is an evil thing. That would be a ridiculous conclusion since God is love. I've been guilty of loving things more than my desire for God and I think that's what He's saying. I don't write anything in these blogs I have not had experience with, struggled with, or been guilty of. SEEKING ADVENTURE use to be my vice. Yes, adventure! I couldn't count the number of times my priority was to spend an entire Sunday discovering new hiking trails with my dogs, or taking off spontaneously for a random day trip just to explore a quaint little town overflowing with antiques, or even how insane my insatiable desire for fishing and being around any body of water was. The keyword here is PRIORITY. These things were always greater than my desire to spend even 30 short minutes with God. I would shoot out of the house on Sundays and choose an adventure over the church, bible study, or praying to God. My priorities were me first! Let me ask wives this question. Do you put yourself above your husband or do you sacrifice things because your love for him is greater than self-love? Of course, you do! Or men, what about wives or girlfriends? I know to please them you will sacrifice things, placing yourself second. And why? One word. You know what it is... love. And by this, you know where your heart is with them.  Where is your heart with God?

Here was the Creator of all things, the one who gave me everything to enjoy in the first place...being alive, the ability to walk or hike, the outdoors, lakes, streams, prosperity, time, freedom. Yet I was worshipping things more than the Giver Himself. I even used many excuses:  I can't go to church, I can't fellowship with other believer's, I can't spend time in the Word because I need time to spend with the dogs who are in all day because I work outside the home. How fair would that be to them? etc. What a lame excuse! Those were convenient lies I told myself to mask my own laziness and suppress my own guilt! What about God's time? I was literally putting my dogs above God? How embarrassing to admit that even now! Looking back, I can truly see where my priorities were and what I loved more. I desired adventure and fun. I panted for things the world could satisfy me with. I am in no way implying these things are wrong. You can do them each day if you like. The point is, are you giving God any of your time? If you answered: I'm not, maybe very little, or it's always the last thing on my agenda, then the next question is: doesn't that say something about your degree of love for the Creator of the Universe? Because the truth is, if you love someone, you want time with them! I'd be willing to bet the first thing you do in the morning is kiss your spouse or at the very least say hello and acknowledge their presence. 

Do you acknowledge God when you wake up? Don't some of you call your wife or husband from work just to say I love you? Do you call on God during the day just to say you love Him and thank Him for the things you have? Do any of you think of a sweetheart at some point during the day? Is your mind preoccupied with something you cannot wait to accomplish so that there is no time to even reflect on God? Can we say we really love Him when we don't even take a minute to say hello or talk to Him? You know, I can picture that deer described in Psalms 42:1 as he pants for a drink of cool water! Any hunter can tell you what a thirsty deer looks like after running from the predator who has been chasing him with a rifle! Near to the point of exhaustion and collapse, the deer is desperate for water! How desperate are you to fill yourself with the Living Waters of the Word? Your carnal nature has been chasing and hunting all kinds of gadgets, new technologies, ideas, hobbies, feelings, etc. to preoccupy every moment of your life. God opened my eyes many years ago to see this truth: Depend on HIM, not on any other thing, human or substance. We are to love Him with all my mind, soul, heart, and strength (Luke 10:27.) "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. 

In closing, when you love something, be it person, animal, sport, or something else, the first thing you give is your time. You must have time with it. You ache to be there. Once you've secured the time, the second thing you give is attention. You do the best you can to give it all your heart and passion. After attention comes devotion. You stick with it vowing to never quit. Does this describe your love for God?  My blog today is to get you to think. Think about your relationship with God. Has it grown cold? Have you lost your desire for Him? My prayer today is that He be the very air you breathe! Today, give Him 6 minutes and 6 seconds of your time by listening in reverence to the song above. Call it your worship time for this Sunday. 6 minutes, 6 seconds. That's all I ask. (make sure your speakers are on and turned up!)

 

"This is the air I Breathe" a beautiful song written by Michael W Smith and sung by Darlene Sczech.

https://youtu.be/f8o-PIcPXF8

This is the air I breathe.

This is the air I breathe.

Your holy presence,

Living.. in Me.

This is my daily bread.

This is my daily bread.

Your very Word,

spoken.. to me.

I.....I'm

I'm desperate for you.

And I.....I'm

I'm lost you without you.

(repeat) 

--------------------

This is the air I breathe

This is the air I breathe...

How Can You Personally Praise The Lord

 

So often we hear or even say the phrase "Praise the Lord!" Does the term 'Praise the Lord' when said actually praise the Lord? WHAT praises the Lord? Look closely at Psalm 69:30-31.

“I will praise the name of God with a song and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God." According to David, the author of Psalms, SONGS and THANKSGIVING are what praise God, but not only praise Him, they also please Him! I have met Christians who believe paying tithes is sufficient enough in pleasing God. It seems as if they believe doing it will take the place of becoming intimate or having any real relationship with God. It's almost as if they seem to be buying their salvation which we all know cannot be done. Let me ask you this. If a person were to pray/beg you to give him/her $10,000, what is the first thing you would consider? A relationship! Is there any kind of relationship between you and the person? You're not going to bless and hand over $10,000 to a stranger you do not know. The same principle applies to Jesus. When you go to Jesus praying, fasting, asking, the first thing Jesus looks at is if He and you have a relationship. Because receiving anything from heaven does not depend on our prayers, fasting, tithing, offerings, sacrifices, or our works. But it does depend on our personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

According to "religion" the thinking is, receiving from God depends on their prayers, good works, and efforts to please God, but to us in Jesus Christ, receiving anything from heaven depends on His Grace and His finished work on the Cross. Thus, it is our personal relationship with Him not our works towards Him. This is the reason Jesus said, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt 6:33). It's not by praying, fasting, sacrificing, offerings, tithing, or benevolent works toward God but rather by seeking Jesus Christ first. Notice the verse above does not say to pray, fast, or offer tithes, etc, but it says to seek Jesus Christ.  It’s not a mistake. A man can do all these works but not be seeking Jesus Christ. Hear that! You have seen people in your own life who want things from you but not you. They are not interested in having a relationship with you, they want what they can get from you. Most of the people who do these works; fasting tithing, offerings, sacrifices, charitable deeds, etc, want things of Jesus but not Jesus Himself! They want His healing miracles, wonders, blessings, salvation, etc. but they do not want a relationship with Him. Remember, the Pharisees could do all these things but they had no personal relationship with Jesus. And so the world and religious people do all these things without a personal individual relationship with Jesus. A person without a relationship with you only comes to you when in need but a person with a relationship with you is with you whether in need or not, in happy times in sad times, in-season out of season, mourning, or rejoicing, etc. 

What about you? Check yourself. Do you only go to Jesus when in need or in troubling times? Most of the world prays, so do religious folks (represented as Pharisees in the scriptures), but what is the difference between them and the true followers of Jesus Christ known and referred to as the Bride of Christ? The Bride of Christ has an intimate, personal individual relationship with Jesus Christ, whereas the world and religious people do not. If you are of Jesus Christ and truly have an intimate, personal relationship with Him, God knows your needs even before you ask (Matt 6:8). And He begins working out things for your good. When in a perfect personal relationship with Jesus, He takes care of all our needs automatically for it is His promise as our Father! Are you pursuing a relationship with Jesus or you are pursuing His things? Praise and thanksgiving should be the lifestyle of every believer. Every praiseful Christian is a joyful Christian and every joyful Christian will always carry the presence of God around. The Bible tells us that "in the presence of God there is fullness of joy" (Psalm 16:11). When we praise God, we command His attention. When we praise God, He steps into our situations. When we praise God, we let Him know that we trust Him even in the midst of our trials. 

To praise God means to magnify God and to magnify God means to make God bigger than our situations and circumstances. We need to learn to praise God because of who He is, not because of what he will do in our lives. In 2 Chronicles 20:20-24, we can see the Israelites praising God in the midst of their battles. In Acts 16:25, we can see Paul and Silas praising God while in chains. Praise should be our lifestyle irrespective of the situations or circumstances we see ourselves in. Every time we praise God through song and thanksgiving, we let Him know that we still recognize His supremacy over our challenges. We let Him know that we trust and believe He is still in control of our lives. There are just too many things to praise God for if we would just take a moment to stop and count our blessings.  Have you given thanksgiving to Him today? No? Then sing to Him. Don't be shy. He likes it! Sings praises, sing of things you're thankful for, sing His Word to Him, etc.

Until He comes,

-Pat-

Analyzing Two Builders

"Two Builders-Laying A Foundation" 

I was reading Matthew 7:24-27 about a couple of builders who built houses on two different types of foundations.  Most, if not all who are reading, know where this blog might be going.  We know that Jesus taught the foundation upon which we build our spiritual house is of the utmost importance. It never hurts to be reminded of certain passages, so today I want to point out some elements of Matthew's passage that show us why the foundation of your life matters. I'll begin with this. Jesus is speaking:  "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it didn't fall: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that hears these sayings of mine, and doesn't do them, will be like a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rains descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house and it fell: and great was the fall of it." 

There are some interesting things to note regarding this particular verse.  Observe the characteristics of the two builders: 

A) BOTH HEARD THE WORDS OF CHRIST- The two people in this parable both heard Jesus share His message of faith and repentance (verse 24, 26).  Therefore, both people in this parable knew the way of salvation.  They both heard the gospel and each one had a reaction to it. 

B) BOTH BUILT HOUSES- Each person built a house based on their understanding of what Jesus said. The house in this parable represents a picture of our spiritual life. Depending on how each builder heard/interpreted Jesus' words, each one then applied Jesus' words as they saw fit.

C) BOTH BUILT IN THE SAME LOCATION- How do we know that? Verse 27 describes a very severe storm. This same storm affected both houses, so they must have been built in close proximity to one another.

D) BOTH BUILT SIMILAR HOUSES- Nothing is said about their houses being different. They used similar materials and most likely a similar design. Have you ever lived in a neighborhood where all the houses look exactly the same?  The only difference is the color of the siding, shutters, or shingles, yet they have the same shape, design, floor plan, and square footage? 

The only difference Jesus mentions in these verses is the FOUNDATION each man built upon. If you look closely, the parable is a picture of people and how they respond differently to the Gospel message.  People hear that same message and they react to it in different ways.  Regardless of how a person may react to it, people build all their lives based on what "they think" Jesus is saying. These two builders constructed their houses in the same location.  That is, apparently they weathered the same storm. However, from the 'outside' you can't tell much difference between the two 'hearers!'  Obviously, the people pictured here are religious, orthodox in their beliefs, serving in and supporting the church.  They have a lot in common, at least on the outside.

Are there contrasts? There are some major differences between these two types of people and I believe it's worth noting.  

*ONE MAN BUILT HIS HOUSE ON SAND-  This man built with little preparation (or he would not have chosen sand as a foundation).  Sand is unstable, ever-changing, ever-moving, without any stability.  It can never provide a firm foundation.  Building your spiritual house on sand speaks of people who hear the gospel, but instead of believing it and coming to faith in Jesus, they believe they can build their lives on the shifting sands of human philosophy, wisdom, opinion, and religious achievement. They are driven by outward, religious appearances and faith in themselves, rather than faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. They are people who hear the gospel and decide they can save themselves by being good.  They might even believe the general message of the gospel but choose to follow God on their own terms.  To them, His Word is open to interpretation and worse yet, change when it needs to align with their convictions!  If God commands them to do something, they will obey if and only when they choose to do so  If they don't like it, they won't do it. This is where self-interpretation and change come in. Sadly, their houses are built on self-will, self-fulfillment, self-satisfaction, and self-righteousness! 2 Timothy 3:5 says it best, "(they) having a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof: from such turn away."  Their works are based on religion that has the appearance of being right, but lacks the power to save the soul!  Too, think of it. Building on sand is easier.  It requires little effort.  They choose this foundation because just a little change here, maybe slightly there, but not too much or it becomes an inconvenience. They don't want inconvenience. They fool themselves and everyone else around them into thinking they are in good standing with the Lord.  The bottom line is, a spiritual life built on sand requires no commitment, no sacrifice, and no faith whatsoever. Sand builders like instant results without commitment. They love the heights but hate the depths, are hot then cold, up then down. They constantly shift. Sand foundations are built by those who believe they can say a prayer, sign a card, join a church, and all will be well.

*THE OTHER MAN BUILT IS HOUSE ON A ROCK- This man digs deep, deep enough until he reached the bedrock.  Rock doesn't move.  It is unchanging, stable, and sure.   Building on rock speaks of people who hear the gospel and believe it to the point that they build their lives on it!  Consider the following. The word "rock' in these verses is identified as "These words of mine."  The "rock"  IS the gospel...the very words of Jesus. It's the same rock mentioned in Matthew 16: 16-18 (you might want to look that up). Rock builders understand that Jesus alone has the power to save their souls. They hear the Word and conform their lives to it. They believe it, embrace it, yield to it and the message(s) change their lives because their foundation is sure.  You know you've built your spiritual life upon The Rock when you do what God asks in His Word.  What God warns you not to do, you avoid. You will pay any price, walk any path, or do anything the Lord tells you to do. You love Him, honor Him, and obey Him (John 14:15, 1 John 2:3-6). 

So, in conclusion, there are two types of builders who construct very different lives based on how they hear and respond to the gospel.  Of a truth, YOU are building one of those houses right now. You can join a church and still go to hell. You can be a good person in the eyes of others and still go to hell. You can build your house on religion and still go to hell. You can build your house on human wisdom, human philosophies, and anything else you can name, and you can still die and go to hell.  But if you build your life on faith in Jesus Christ, The Rock, your house will stand through the storms of life be it spiritual or natural and you will be saved. You realize that the person who built his house on the sand never intended for his house to fall. He THOUGHT he was doing the right thing as so many others do today. He thought he was building a house that would stand against anything that came.  He was wrong.  His confidence was not in the Lord; it was in himself and in his own perceived goodness. His confidence was misplaced. The problem with his house is the foundation!  So if you are building your spiritual house on anything but Jesus Christ and His gospel, it will fall.  When it falls, you will be lost forever. In a spiritual sense, every day you attach boards, drive nails, add on rooms, and try to improve your house. Regardless of what you do to the house you are building, what matters the most is the foundation.  Be absolutely sure you are building on Jesus Christ and His Gospel.  If you have realized today, or know of someone in your family or circle of friends that has been building on the wrong foundation, you or they can change that by turning to Jesus Christ today.  There is a storm coming that's going to shake foundations everywhere and your spiritual house is right in its path. When that storm comes, the only houses that will stand are those built on the solid foundation of the Word of God.  

Until He Comes,

-Pat-