Our House Is Collapsing

 

Our house is collapsing. Why is our nation in such a miserable condition? Are we under God’s judgment and curse? Something is going on in America and may I add other nations as well. It should be obvious to any Bible believer. Consider all the political unrest of late. Foolish leaders who pursue policies guaranteed to destroy our nation. We seem to be cursed with judges who are passionate about casting aside the very Constitution they vowed to uphold in favor of modern opinions. They push policies guaranteed to weaken commerce and destroy the value of our currency. We have dealt with the abuse of our military by the former commander in chief himself who held that office for 8 years. We are cursed with a mainstream media that hates the truth and rejoices in lies, that is devoted to brazen propaganda in the name of fair reporting. We are cursed with a national education system designed to produce moral rebels and spiritual fools. We are cursed with an entertainment industry fervently devoted to everything abominable in God’s eyes. We are cursed with a breath-taking loss of freedom, with the government snooping into every nook and cranny of our lives and businesses. Rebellion, riots, and lawlessness. And I haven't even mentioned droughts, floods, tornados, multi-billion-dollar mega-storms, rampant disease, dead sea life washing ashore, locust swarms, dead birds falling from the sky, forest fires, earthquakes, the ground opening up and swallowing people and property! What has happened when that which is good becomes evil and that which is evil becomes good (Ephesians 5:20).

The blame clearly lies not with the sinner, but with the compromising, professing Christians and the pastors and leadership of most of the churches in this nation that profess the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The reason for our nation’s miserable condition is that there is no fear of God in the lives of many professing Christians who are dozing under a comfortable blanket of indifference. This is because there are not many “fear of God and hellfire” sermons from most of the pulpits in this nation today. The blame lies with softball, tickle your ears, don't offend anyone, self-lifting sermons by pastors that are compromisers and apostates, who fear the people more than they fear God and who care more about their individual bottom line than about the truth. Yes, our nation, our churches, and our Christian brothers and sisters are in serious trouble! God said IF MY PEOPLE (not sinners, not unbelievers, not agnostics, not the religious) which are called by My Name will:

1) Humble themselves

2) Pray

3) Seek My face

4) Turn from their wicked ways...

THEN, God says, He will hear from heaven and heal our land. Not before and not until!

The only effective solution to our nation’s ills is to understand that the "curses" are the symptoms, and healing does not come by focusing on symptoms (though it is right and necessary to reprove the works of darkness - Ephesians 5:11). The fundamental element is the spiritual compromise and apostasy of professing Christians and churches that name the name of Jesus Christ, particularly here in America which is a nation filled with churches and professing Christians. I hate to say it but passionate politicking on the part of Bible believers and the joining hands with pagans and heretics to “save America”; shows a lack of wisdom and spiritual understanding.

There are many things we can do to help America or any other nation in which we find ourselves as pilgrims in this world, but carnal politicking and yoking together with heretics and unbelievers in blatant disobedience to God’s Word (Romans 16:17; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18) and it is not the answer.

 

So, what can we do as Christians to help turn this nation around?”  It is not far from each one of us who names the name of Christ in truth. Let us humble ourselves before our Lord and Savior, repent of our lukewarm spiritual lives and seek the Lord with all our hearts, souls, and minds and then be busy about His work of proclaiming the Gospel of Christ! We need to keep in the forefront of our minds that there truly is a hell and that most of the people in this nation–and many that we know–will be going there for an eternity of torment in its unquenched flames! So many professing Christians I know have put a giant pause on their relationship with God! They’ve advanced no farther than they had 1, 5, or 10 years ago. Stuck in the ditch of dormancy, many sleep on unaware because many in their “Christian” social circle live at the same mediocre level of discipleship. WAKE UP!!  God is calling His Church to arise, to humble ourselves, pray, seek Him, and turn from our ways of slumber and sleep, lukewarmness, indifference, and laziness!  We need to wake up out of inactivity, ruin, and obscurity!

It's really sad and frustrating to witness that many of us don’t seem to care what God wants to say! We have little spiritual appetite — many feel satisfied with their Pastor’s 45-minute message online last Sunday. They don’t have time to worship God, read the Bible, or pray because, well, you know—just because! They know they don’t have an acceptable excuse, so many don’t even make one anymore. It’s spiritual slumber, plain and simple. Unfortunately, it’s to their detriment. Since they don’t take quiet times with God, they walk in fear, doubt, and unbelief. Walking by faith is no longer their goal or reality. Our house is collapsing all around us. I'm urging the true followers of Jesus Christ to begin anew today. Go to your knees and ask God to forgive your indifference. Humble yourself before Him. Repent and turn from your sins. It is the only way our nation will be healed! Change and answer to prayer lie with you and me, not the world! 

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

 

Your God Is Unreasonable!

 

I had an intriguing conversation this past week but not with a person. Well, I mean not with a real person. This person was in my dream and we were discussing many subjects pertaining to the Bible. I was being asked questions such as:

1. Why does God let a baby be born with a disease?

2. Why can't a man marry more than one woman to quench his sexual drive? People in the Old Testament did.

3. How did Noah not only fit 2 of each kind but fed of every animal on an ark, and how did he clean up their ___? (his word left out).

4. How can you prove God flooded the earth? It's a myth.

I could tell by the questions the man in my dream was asking he was once a Christian or had been brought up around scriptures. Especially so because his last question fired at me which was: "The Bible said we are to pray without stopping. What kind of nonsense is that? How can a person constantly pray? While chewing? Having sex? Studying for a test? In front of an interviewer for a job? You have no answer for that one, do you?" It's why I think Christianity is a farce. God is unreasonable to require such nonsense!" His questions and approach was jarring. I awoke quite disturbed. I sat up in my bed (it was 3:02 a.m.) and began telling myself why we are to "pray without ceasing" according to Thessalonians 5:17. Paul's words can be confusing to an outsider or an unlearned person of faith, I admit. Obviously, "pray without ceasing" cannot mean we are to be in a head-bowed, eyes-closed posture all day long. Paul is not referring to non-stop talking, but rather an attitude of God-consciousness and God-surrender that we carry with us all the time. Every waking moment is to be lived in an awareness that God is with us and that He is actively involved and engaged in our thoughts and actions. I picture Him PRESENT. That He's with me. With that mind-set, I talk to Him as a friend who would walk with me all day. I do "talk" to Him. I ask for advice and guidance. I discuss humanity, our failures, and I pray for people, government, the sick when I learn someone is ill or lost to the world.

If, for example, my thoughts turn to worry, fear, discouragement, and anger, (which it sure can in this unstable world) I consciously and quickly turn every thought into prayer and every prayer into thanksgiving. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul commands us to stop being anxious and instead, “in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). When I or any believer does this it's following the WORD in obedience. It's for our own good because it strengthens us when we need encouragement or assurance. Paul taught the believers at Colossae to devote themselves “to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4:2). Paul exhorted the Ephesian believers to see prayer as a weapon to use in fighting spiritual battles (Ephesians 6:18). As we go through the day, prayer should be our first response to every fearful situation, every anxious thought, and every undesired task that God commands. A lack of prayer will cause us to depend on ourselves instead of depending on God’s grace. Unceasing prayer is, in essence, continual dependence upon and communion with the Father. As I said, like a best friend walking alongside you that listens, upholds, strengthens, and encourages you in your weakest moments of doubt, fear, indecision, confusion.

For Christians, prayer should be like breathing. You do not have to think to breathe because the atmosphere exerts pressure on your lungs and essentially forces you to breathe. That is why it is more difficult to hold your breath than it is to breathe. Similarly, when we are born into the family of God, we enter into a spiritual atmosphere where God’s presence and grace exert pressure, or influence, on our lives. Prayer is the normal response to that pressure. As believers, we have all entered the divine atmosphere to breathe the air of prayer. Unfortunately, many believers hold their “spiritual breath” for long periods, thinking brief moments with God are sufficient to allow them to survive. But such restricting of their spiritual intake is caused by sinful desires. The fact is that every believer must be continually in the presence of God, constantly breathing in His truths, to be fully functional.

Continual, persistent, incessant prayer with thanksgiving is an essential part of Christian living and flows out of humility and dependence on God. I am dependant on God for everything, down to my next breath which He can recall by His power at any moment since He, and He alone is the author of life AND DEATH. I am literally breathing because of Him. The number of days I have on this earth is His doing regardless of anything I do be it exercise, eating healthy, etc. Those things do add "quality" to your life, but they will not add one day longer to your life beyond what God has destined for you. I've known of athletes who died in their teens, 20's and 30's whose bodies were fined tuned and presumably healthy. "For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come" 1 Timothy 4:8.  It’s easy to get tired, to give in to despair, and give up. Don’t abandon the God of hope and say, ‘There’s no use praying.’ Jesus reminds us in Luke 18, as He encouraged the disciples, to “pray and not lose heart." So pray. Talk to Him. From sunrise to sunset. Make Him a part of your life.

Until He Comes Again,

-Pat- 

If It Feels Good Do It

 

How does one determines right from wrong; good from bad; positive from negative. More and more of America has made the transition from making choices based on objectivity, logic, order, and preconceived standards to making choices based upon “interpreting the current situation”, “relational balance” and “context.” For many, this means that “right and wrong” no longer exist as clear lines of distinction. It has allowed the excuses for indulgence in the sixties to become the standard for decision-making in the new millennium. How many are familiar with the following:

• You only go around once in a life

• Are we having fun yet?

• Grab all the gusto you can get!

• What have you done for me lately?

• If it feels good do it

When it gets out of control we might use other clichés like:

• I couldn’t help myself

• The Devil made me do it

I present short blogs, long blogs, blogs of correction and reproof, and some that make you feel all warm and cozy. Not all my blogs are feel-good blogs though they seem to be the ones people itch for. That is not what I'm here for. I write what I am given and surely I will step on some feet and lose people along the way. So be it. The “feel good” philosophy of our day runs like a thread through almost every aspect of culture; including church! But Jesus may have something to say about that. Jesus may have something to say against that. Jesus may have something to say that isn’t … popular. That in itself is ironic since being unpopular means it won’t make us feel good which means we may reject it outright without hearing him out. So be it I guess. Doing what feels good often leads us down a path of ruin. We discover that life might be better understood by seeking a different mechanism for making choices than “If it feels good do it”. Jesus offers an alternative to the quest for sensual gratification that drives our culture and it is illustrated in the demonic man who was conquered and rescued in the book of Mark. The issue of demonic control (sin’s control over a human) is a very serious issue. It is one the Church must acknowledge and address. Mark introduces us to “Satan” in chapter one. Matthew and Luke call the enemy the Devil (Accuser). Mark calls him “Satan” (adversary). This understanding of the enemy can be seen in nearly every page of the Gospel he writes. For that reason, I will call him Satan (the Adversary) in this blog as well.

From the earliest introduction to evil in the Bible, we discover that: Satan desires to control, manipulate, and ruin people. Satan has no noble motives. Satan will use whatever tools we make available to him to trap us. As sobering as that is, there is “Good News!” That is why Mark wrote his Gospel – showing us Jesus’ defeat of the adversary and Jesus’ deliverance of those within the adversary’s grip. The Bible says that Satan should not get an advantage over us and for that reason, we are not ignorant of his devices. (2 Corinthians 2:11). To understand Satan's ability to trap us we must understand a few things first. ONE: Becoming trapped is a result of the choices we make. TWO: At some point, in some way, we flirt, invite, and participate in sinful practices. THREE: Satan merely seized the opportunities and openings that we give him -Satan cannot force himself on us -we must be open to his presence. But, as I said, as sobering as that is, there is “Good News!” There is a Deliverer from sin’s grip. There is only ONE deliverer from sins grip … Jesus Christ. But that ONE is enough. I know because He set me free! Our free-will decisions to carry living-out sin almost always involves the lie "if it feels good do it”. That "thinking" was my mindset when I chose to sin. When a person chooses to follow Jesus (His Word and its instructions) a subtle, yet powerful, transformation of our decision-making process begins to take place. The Holy Spirit teaches any new convert not to follow his “instinct” or emotion but to submit to a higher standard … obedience to God’s known will. Notice I said HE TEACHES US, it is not something we have the power to accomplish on our own. This understanding of “costly service” as opposed to “comfortable service” is laid out very clearly throughout the remainder of Mark’s Gospel.

People seem to gravitate to that which is comfortable and easy. It takes a deep commitment to Christ to overcome such a position. Sometimes we would rather not be disturbed even if it is for the better. Sometimes we do not want to be disturbed because it shows our misplaced loyalties and misplaced priorities. When it comes to the welfare of a human or wealth, society seldom sides with the human being. Many people see the presence of Jesus as a discomforting presence that they want dismissed. It is difficult to follow Jesus because he demands (and empowers) a higher standard.  Christian people (and congregations) that acquiesce to an “if it feels good do it” philosophy are ineffective for the Kingdom. The Church, and thus the Christian testimony, are in jeopardy of becoming completely irrelevant because of our inclination towards a man-centered Gospel … a Gospel which focuses on what Jesus will do for you. That is an important part of evangelism but we must never allow the convert to remain a victim of seeking immediate gratification. You see, evangelism starts where people are at and with what they can relate to. Throughout the Gospels, people came to Jesus with selfish motives and he received them gladly—but then, if they were to follow Him, they had to leave their selfish motives and follow in obedience and love. Modern-day "Christianity" has ceased to ask people to leave their own patterns of self-gratification. Instead, we spin everything to focus on how it will make them “feel good” or “improve their quality of life.” That is not the whole Gospel of Jesus but with some preachers and believers, it has become their entire focus. To be fair, I believe the spirit of Jesus dwells within The Church and I see encouraging evidence of divine correction, but still many gravitate towards flesh-centered motives.

The call of God in discipleship is to holiness, self-sacrifice, and service. It is not a “bless me O Lord” kind of faith. It is not an “if it feels good do it” relationship.

When the Gospel and discipleship are properly understood it all comes down to the primary character -- Jesus Christ. PERIOD! Jesus Christ never operated from or promoted an “If it feels good do it” ethic. Never. This is illustrated in all Jesus did and explicitly addressed in chapters 8, 9, and 10 of Mark's gospel. "And whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:44-45). Again, Jesus Christ never operated from or promoted the “if it feels good do it” ethic. In fact, Jesus delivers us from its trap just as he did the demoniac man with the unclean spirit.

Our society, like many societies, has reduced itself to a quest for gratification, and the more instant the better. But Jesus calls us away from that. I'm speaking to Christians. This is my calling. It is not to the world, but to The Church. Just like Esau, some of us neglect our rights and responsibilities as the children of God, the inheritors of an eternal kingdom, in order to follow our desires and pleasures wherever they lead. We tend to trust our appetites, our desires, believing they will lead us to happiness, to satisfaction, that if we do what we want to do, what we most deeply and strongly desire to do, then we will be glad. That's a lie wrapped around a profound truth, really, for, of course, the deepest desires of the human heart are all ultimately directed at God. Our desire for perfect happiness, perfect contentment, perfect pleasure, perfect peace - really, we desire Heaven. We desire communion with God. We are called to gauge our desires according to the teachings of Christ and His Church, allowing higher wisdom than that of our feelings, our desires, to guide us. 

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

KNOCK KNOCK. Who's There??

 

I want to start out with a little experiment. It's an experiment to see what answers you might give to three things I will ask.  And though I'm pretty sure what your answers will be, my questions and your responses are to make a point regarding this blog. So let's get started. 

Question #1: If a stranger was knocking at the front door of your home claiming he was your brother and wanted to come inside your home, would you open the door and let him in? 

Question #2: What if this stranger standing outside your door had a credit card with your name on it and told you he had been buying lots of things with it. And that by your good name he had the ability to get anything he wanted. Would you then believe he was related to you because he had a credit card with your name on it? 

Question #3: Last one. What if this same man continued telling you all the good things he had done with the credit card bearing your name and began begging you to please accept him as a part of your family because all the things he had done left a really good impression of YOU to others?  Would any of the three things I just mentioned make you want to open the door to your home and welcome him as a part of your family? 

I'm sure your answers were no.  I believe that despite the fact all the good he was able to do with the credit card in your name, you would still see him as a phony and a fraud.  Just because this man used your name for good or for gain does not make him a part of your family at all! Let's look at scripture. Matthew 7: 21-23 KJV "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, BUT ONLY THE ONE WHO DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?  Then I will tell them plainly, 'I NEVER knew you. Away from me." 

 

 

For the sake of understanding the credit card illustration, I will compare The Word of God to the credit card in my example as an analogy.  On that credit card, a name is written --- the Name Jesus. A Christian possessing that 'card ' therefore, according to the scripture in Matthew 7 can:  prophecy, can perform miracles, and even cast out demons.  And they can do so not because they themselves possess any power, not because they are better than any other sinner saved by grace, but because THE NAME OF JESUS IS THE POWER, like the same clout a credit card carries.   Jesus said IN MY NAME shall they cast out demons (Mark 16:17).  In my example then, without the credit card bearing your name, the guy on your porch could not have done anything on his own because he had no credit, no clout.  The "power" given to him (if you will), was because of your name on that card!  But hear this, even though the man may appear to be someone special because he carried a credit card, still, he was a fraud.  He was just using your name. He was not, nor would he ever be related to you. There was no relationship to connect the two of you.

Merriam Webster dictionary defines the word 'relationship' as "the state of being related; kinship." Much in the same way many people are professing themselves to be Christians, using the Name of Jesus to do great things, yet have no relationship with Jesus at all. THESE ARE THEY who will stand before the door wanting to enter heaven, and though they did things in Jesus' Name what did Jesus respond?  "I NEVER knew you." How could Jesus say these things if those knocking were able to do miracles because the Name of Jesus has power and it comes from God... HE is the very Word of God! In reality, THERE MUST NOT HAVE BEEN A RELATIONSHIP between those knocking to get in heaven's door and Jesus! They never became a part of His family because they were never convicted of their sin, they never truly repented, they never turned from their ways, nor desired righteousness that comes from doing God's will.  Matthew 7 verses 21-23 speaks plainly about those who can and will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus said, "but only those who do the will of my Father which is in heaven" will enter. If you know a few scriptures, go to church each week, listen to Christian radio, read your Bible now and again, or even if you use the power of His Word to prophecy or cast out demons but have no personal relationship with Him, how can you expect Him to know you as a part of His family? He's not going to open the door to anyone outside His family! Would you open your door?? "I am the Good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine" (John 10:14).  Notice the wording?  I KNOW my sheep. That's a relationship! He told those knocking on the door I NEVER KNEW YOU, meaning they had no relationship.

 

 

Growing up, were you taught the people knocking outside the door are unbelievers who wanted to enter heaven? Read the scriptures closely.  Those knocking to get in said with their own mouths and testified they had done great things ... prophesied and cast out demons IN HIS NAME (Jesus' Name).  Have you not read that Satan cannot cast out Satan lest his kingdom is divided? ..... Matthew 12:26 "If Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself, how then shall his kingdom stand?"  These were not unbelievers, demons, devils, sinners, or wayward people outside the door!  These were people claiming and PROFESSING to be Christians -- followers of Jesus. Why? They were using the Name of Jesus, but they did not have a personal relationship with Him.  This is why Jesus said, I NEVER knew you DEPART FROM ME YOU WORKERS OF INIQUITY!  You can use the Name of Jesus (it has power), you can say you follow Him (you go to church every week), you can claim you are a good Christian, but UNLESS AND UNTIL YOU ACTUALLY DO YOUR FATHER'S WILL, you are a phony and a fraud when it comes to the faith and you have no part in His family.  Do you say you don't know what God's will is?  If you don't, then you probably aren't doing it either. It's not a matter of trying to figure out what it is because God already told us what His will is for us.  It's in the scriptures! You can find it in Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what that good, acceptable, and perfect WILL OF GOD (is)." Then, 1 Thessalonians 3-5 says, "FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD, your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication: that every one of you knows how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor; not in the lust of concupiscence (Colossians 3:5-6), even as the Gentiles do who KNOW NOT God." Did you catch that? WHO KNOW NOT GOD. We are to be transformed from workers of iniquity to workers of faith and belief. To know God is to love Him as your Father (relationship), and it is to obey Him by transforming your mind (you do this with His Word that changes you from the inside out), to possess your body in sanctification and honor and present it holy unto God just as an earthly bride offers her body to her husband.  This is the "relationship" He desires of you.  It is a spiritual marriage.  You take His Name as a bride takes her husband's name.  You become a part of Him ---> family ---> relationship. ADOPTION.

 

 

Finally, those knocking I referred to in Matthew 7 can be compared to the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-22, which describes this church as the "lukewarm" church. Jesus condemns them for their spiritual apathy.  They did not openly reject Christ but neither did they have authentic zeal or love for Him or The Word! They professed to know Christ, but they had no place in their hearts -- no relationship.  How many people do you know just like this?  Jesus said there are MANY of them: "Many shall say to me in that day... Lord, Lord".  CALLING Him your Lord and being in a relationship AS YOUR LORD are two entirely different things! I cannot imagine what sorrow will consume people when being turned away at the door of heaven despite the fact they confess they never did anything bad in their life, went to church faithfully every Sunday, gave their time and money to missions, tithed every time the plate was passed, led adult bible studies, etc.  And though there is definitely nothing wrong in doing these things,  we are called to servanthood as per Christ's example. But if you have no relationship with Jesus and are just going through the motions, you are none of His! You will not enter into heaven according to Matthew 7:21-23 despite doing marvelous things, prophesying in His Name, or even casting out demons (even Satan knows scriptures and can bring fire down out of heaven in the sight of men). Accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior goes far beyond just words if you never allow Him into your heart and by the power of His Spirit allow Him to change you from the inside out.  I haven't written this blog to sound unkind or to be critical of the good deeds done by anyone. I wrote it because GOD'S WORD is specific in its warning to even the noblest and generous people that profess Christianity. 

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

Discouraged

 

Discouraged By Life?

Discouragement is a thief!  It steals your vitality, your zeal, your joy, your peace, and your contentment.  If discouragement dwells long with you, its friends will soon join.  Their names are fatigue, hopelessness, despair, self-pity, depression, doubt, and bitterness. Sometimes discouragement can be so strong that you don’t want to go on living. I witnessed this of a dear soul that recently passed on. He was tormented for years being dissatisfied with the past, distaste for the present, and distrust of the future. And though he was a Christian, insecurities that anything could ever be changed kept him in an emotional prison.

If we have nothing to rely on, or we forget our blessing and look to our circumstances, then that is when discouragement begins to take hold. What we need is encouragement.  We need hope and peace and the knowledge that the Lord knows our troubles and has great concern and compassion for us and is not leaving us unloved or uncared for. Keeping your eyes on Jesus is the best way to be encouraged.  In Him, you can have comfort and peace and encouragement.  You need to find Him and His words, and by faith rest in Him. Jesus said, "I will never leave nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). Be encouraged because scripture says we are, "Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort" (2 Corinthian 1:3,4) God is called the Father of Mercies. The word mercy means compassion and pity. It is something that is felt in the heart. In God’s very heart He feels mercy toward you!  He is the author of mercy.  His mercy toward you brings salvation, the forgiveness of sins, and deliverance from eternal damnation… and this, because of Jesus, because of His sacrifice, because of His shed blood for you.

God is the God of mercy: Psalm 86:5, “You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.” The word in Greek for “comfort” is paraklesis.  It means, exhortation, comfort, and encouragement. In fact, a form of this word, parakletos is used for the Holy Spirit as well. That is why the Holy Spirit is called the Comforter in the KJV in John 14:26: “But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. All this shows you that GOD HIMSELF is a God of Comfort, exhortation, and encouragement. 

But you may ask, “How is this Comfort received from God?” 

1. It is by faith – because God says He is the God of comfort, then you need to believe it and act upon it; that is, you need to trust Him and receive His comfort as He provides it. 

2. God directs His people to comfort you.  When you have a problem doesn’t the Lord send someone with an encouraging word, a helping hand, or a shoulder to cry on? Yes, He does. Comfort is found through His Word – reading, and hearing – The words of God are beautiful and are there for our instruction and encouragement.

3. By the Holy Spirit.  He is called the Comforter. He indwells you.

We can be encouraged because God is there in our afflictions.  Verse 4 says, “who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” The word affliction can also be translated as tribulation, trouble, anguish, persecution, or burden. Afflictions come in all different shapes and sizes. Sickness, financial difficulty, loss of a loved one, an unsure future, an auto accident, etc. But also, and this is something very important, the affliction occurs in the heart in that place where we get frustrated, confused, and hurt. Why do we have afflictions? Because we live in a fallen world.

James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (NIV)

So then, in reality, afflictions are a way of making you better.  And that is how they should be tackled: as the testing and strengthening of your faith — through the comfort and mercy of Jesus. You don’t have to worry whether or not He is going to take care of you.  He already has, (THE CROSS), He is currently doing so, and He will continue to care for you.  After all, aren’t you more valuable than sparrows and He cares for them.

Encouragement is something that belongs to you as a Christian.  You do not have to live in a world of hurt and doubt.  You don’t have to live alone. You don’t have to weep in solitude.  You have the body of Christ to lift you up.  You have the Word of God to teach you.  You have the Holy Spirit indwelling in you who warms your soul. You have the God of encouragement waiting to show you His mercy and love. But you need to trust. You need to remember the Lord’s blessing. You need to depend on Him. You need to keep your eyes on Jesus and Him alone. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” (Matthew 11:28). And please, don't be discouraged by the political temperature in this world striping you of joy, peace, and contentment because it will eventually lead to despair, doubt, depression, and self-pity even to the point of not wanting to live another day! (additional reading 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; 1 Peter 5:7; 1 Corinthians 5:58; Romans 8:38-39).

Until He Comes.

-Pat-

From Frog To Prince

 This past fall I spent some time at our local park. I drove my golf cart down to my favorite private cove which sits along the water's edge. I sat there peacefully while taking in the changing colors, the aroma of dried leaves, and a slightly pungent smell of algae and mud. There was no wind and the sky was painted a magnificent blue with our Creator's brush. My eyes glanced over the still waters to the shore and back again. Inhaling crisp fresh air I filled my lungs and nestled quietly for a moment of thanksgiving and prayer. Suddenly the silence was broken. KURPLUNK! I swiftly turned to my right and looking down I observed a rippling in the water next to a log. I watched and waited knowing with a little patience I might discover what made that sound. Sure enough up popped an eyeball, then another. It was a frog. "Hello!" I said. With that, the frog slowly slipped back into his watery abode. "Aren't you going to come back out?" I asked. "I won't hurt you." For the next five minutes or so we played that hide and seek game. While there, I had plenty of time to think about this frog. Frogs are amphibians. Frogs live and function on land and in the water. They start their lives solely in the water as little tadpoles. When metamorphosis begins, the tadpole develops legs, arms, and the ability to both live and breathe on land. As the changing tadpole further develops, it spends less time in the water and more time on land. Soon, it loses its earlier characteristics and takes on a completely new form. I thought to myself, "Well! Isn't this just like the believer?"

  

As Christians, we are like the frog. Like water to land, our lives begin in the worldly realm and progress into the spiritual realm. In a spiritual sense, we start life as a tadpole (unbeliever), completely unable to enter the spiritual realm (solid ground). However, when we believe in Jesus Christ a type of metamorphosis begins to take place. As NEW Christians we are like tadpoles in their first stages of change. With weak, worldly legs that distract and hinder us, we go places we want to explore and spend very little time, if any, in the spiritual realm. BUT as we continue to grow our spiritual legs get stronger and arms begin to form. We start to lose our tail (old ways) and spiritual lungs begin to function (a new way of living). And just as the transformation of frogs is progressive, so too, are the changes we experience as Christians. As we slowly develop, we begin spending more time in the spiritual realm (praying, reading God's word, a hunger for righteousness) than in the earthy realm (being disobedient, agreeing with sin, not fighting temptations). Spiritual growth does not happen overnight. It is a slow, arduous process. We change "into the image of Christ from glory to glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18). And, not only that but when we come to Christ the Bible says we automatically become royalty (1 Peter 2:9) ... from "frog to the prince" by the power of His forgiving Blood. WOW! Many people are afraid to become Christians because they have the notion that they must become a perfect person overnight when they know they are entangled in deep sin, so the thought of living for Christ seems not only impossible but unappealing. 

 

 What everyone must understand is, though Jesus forgives of all your sins and tosses them away into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19) real change is a process. Your soul is eternally saved, yes, but His Spirit which comes to live in you will bring knowledge and understanding of His Word. As He does this, your life, your actions, your behaviors begin to align with His Spirit. You not only begin to obey His Word, YOU WANT to obey His Word. He changes you from within and obedience becomes a joy! Philippians 1:6 says, "I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." It is with God's Divine wisdom, mercy, and power that HE completes the change in you as you continue to walk in Him. 2 Peter 1:4 states, "By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the Divine nature (through a type of metamorphosis), escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires." And finally 2 Corinthians 3: 18 says, "We all, with unveiled faces, are reflecting the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image (through this metamorphosis) into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit." Change (metamorphosis) is letting go of the old and embracing the new. God said, "Be holy as I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16). That sounds like an impossible task but it isn't BECAUSE the possibility comes by the work of God and not the work of man! Sin becomes ugly and abhorrent. Just the thought of sin will grieve your spirit. Remember what the scripture said, "He (meaning God) who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." It's so fantastic because God will do the work inside you through the Holy Spirit and will continue working if you remain in Him.

 

In closing, know and believe God begins perfecting you from the moment you are converted from unbelief to faith in Christ. The metamorphosis is a process whereby the Holy Spirit regenerates us, gives us new hearts with new holy desires (Ezekiel 36:26), then He transforms our stubborn wills and opens our hearts to embrace the Truth rather than reject it, and to believe rather than doubt it. He goes even further! He gives us a hunger for righteousness and a desire for Him. Thus, the new birth transforms the inner person. From that point, everything that occurs in our lives - good or bad - God uses for our own good to make us like Christ (Romans 8:28-30). Don't be discouraged if some of us are tadpoles, some are developing their legs, or that some are spending more time in the worldly than the spiritual realm. We are all growing together as one body from the worldly realm to the spiritual realm, from corrupt to holy. Encourage one another, love one another as Christ loves us. "Christ has put each part of the Church in its right place. Each part helps other parts. This is what is needed to keep the whole body together. In this way, the whole body grows strong in love." NLV

Until He Comes,

-Pat-

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-