NOTHING COVERED, NOTHING HIDDEN!

“For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed;
neither hid, that shall not be known.”
Luke 12:2
(King James Version)

Often times, secret sin is viewed as less serious than the sins everyone sees because you may think “no one knows.” What a deception! Psalm 90:8 says, “You have set our wrongdoing before You, our secret sins in the light of Your face.” Also, the bible says, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3). Even if another person does not know, the Almighty God has an inside view and he knows all, even the thoughts, motives and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
Secret sin is especially dangerous because it adds with it the sin of hypocrisy, which is “a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not, especially the appearance of virtue or religion.” If genuine repentance does not occur, hidden sin will usually lead to hypocrisy because we will try to keep up appearances and go through the motion of worship and service without being detected. But, this only causes guilt. Psalm 32:3 says, “When I refused to confess my sin, I was weak and miserable, and I groaned all day long.” Our conscience will continually convict us and cause internal conflict. However, if we continually ignore and defile the internal alarm, the problem continues to grow. The hypocrisy leads to self-deception because it works directly against the conscience causing it to be seared or cauterized. The conscience is silenced and the deception gets deeper. Thus, hypocrisy compounds itself, just like leaven (Luke 12:1).
God, in his mercy, gives us the opportunity to come clean and expose our own sin through sincere confession and genuine repentance. However, if that does not occur, you can be sure that sin will be dealt with by God. If you don’t deal with secret sin through genuine repentance, secret sin will deal with you! Numbers 32:23 says, “be sure your sin will find you out.”
Jesus warns his disciples that neither secret sin nor hypocrisy will be tolerated. He further states that secret sin and hypocrisy will be exposed and even whispers will be preached from the housetops (Matthew 10:27). Keeping up appearances before men who can only kill the body is futile. We should fear God and seek true repentance because the omniscient God sees all. “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14).
Today, come clean about the secret sins of your heart with true confession and repentance. He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse you (I John 1:9).

PAY CLOSE ATTENTION!

“SINCE ALL this is true, we ought to pay much closer

attention than ever to the truths that we have heard,

lest in any way we drift past [them] and slip away.”
Hebrews 2:1
(The Message Bible)

In today’s busy society, we have learned to do more than one thing at a time. We drive, talk on the cell phone and eat a burger – all at the same time! Of course, the number of traffic accidents have increased since the mobile phone phenomenon because we don’t pay attention. What did the world do before cellular phones? We have gotten so busy doing so many things at the same time, have we forgotten to pay close attention to what is most important?
To what does the ‘truths we have heard’ refer to? Chapter one, in fact the entire book of Hebrews, outlines the supremacy of Christ and his finished work of purging our sins before he sat down at the right hand of God. The work of Christ was perfectly complete and completely perfect. Jesus Christ is the author of the dispensation of grace and is exalted above the angels and the prophets. The ‘truths’ are the work of Christ and the words of Christ (The Gospel of Jesus Christ). His word is truth and sanctifies the believer (John 17:17). Furthermore, Jesus was given a name that is above every name (Ephesians 1:21; Philippians 2:9), but Psalm 138:2 says, “for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” Since this is true, should we not heed the instruction to “keep my commandments and live, And my teaching as the apple of your eye” (Proverbs 7:2).
The weekly teaching and preaching of the gospel and daily study of the word must not be received for information purposes only, but must be obeyed and appropriated to daily living. If the word is not exercised, or practiced, the word will run out like a leaking vessel.
The writer of Hebrews goes on to say that the words spoken by the angels were confirmed by divine authority and each transgression was met with the judgment of God. Having said that, he poses the question of how will we get away with neglecting, not obeying or not holding the preeminent words of Christ in high regard and esteem by not letting it change the heart and mind.
2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies.” Since this is really true, it is only logical to pay close attention to the instructions given under the inspiration of God in the bible and through his ministers on a daily basis. Commit this week to review the lessons and messages you have heard over the past month. Have you been careful to put them into practice? Or have you let them slip from your mind and daily habit of life? Receive the word ‘with an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it and bring forth fruit with patience’ (Luke 8:15).

A GOOD CONSCIENCE

“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience
void of offense toward God, and toward men.”
Acts 24:16
King James Version

The conscience is a powerful faculty whereby we distinguish between right and wrong and prompts us to do the former and shun the latter; commending one and condemning the other. Simply stated, the conscience is our ethical sense organ or internal warning system. When the conscience is violated, we experience immediate punishment by feelings and emotions of anxiety, fear, guilt, estrangement, shame or internal conflict.
The conscience functions to point us toward what is right and what we should do in accordance with the will of God. It is part of our spirit that facilitates fellowship and communion with God. The Apostle Paul teaches that by two things, our conscience and creation all men know that God exists (Romans 1:20; 2:14-15).
Although the conscience is a powerful faculty, alone it is not trustworthy. It is possible to be without conscience and sincere and yet be sincerely wrong. Before his conversion, Paul persecuted and murdered many Christians with a clear conscience. The conscience must come into alignment and agreement with the word of God. The conscience is enlightened and prompted by the Holy Spirit through the word of God. Depending on the education it receives, the conscience can be wrong . The word of God must be the standard for the conscience.
Psalm 119:165 says, “Great peace have they which love thy law; and nothing shall offend them.” So, the love of the word of God and obeying the conscience educated by the word of God will guard against stumbling or ‘striking against’ God and your neighbor.
In Acts 24, Paul must defend himself against false accusations from fellow Jews who had determined to kill him. Paul boldly stated his innocence before his accusers and Felix based on the fact that he practiced obeying his conscience and made it a habit of life. He had the testimony of his conscience, the witness of the Holy Ghost (Romans 9:1) and the word of God to guide him in everyday life. By disciplining and aligning himself with the word of God in his appetites, passion, desires and all endeavors, Paul stated that he had a blameless, clear conscience.
Do you have a clear conscience towards God? Are you offended with anyone? Have you offended anyone? Is your conscience being ruled by the Holy Spirit? Today, may we draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having the hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having the body bathed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22). Studying the word of God strengthens and sensitizes the voice of the conscience. Commit to obeying your conscience and the promptings of the Spirit so that you can experience a clear conscience.

"O, TO BE KEPT BY GOD!"

“The LORD is thy keeper…”
Psalm 121:5
(King James Version)

In a negative sense, to be a ‘kept woman’ means to be a woman who is financially supported by a lover, especially by a married man. I am sure you get the implications of being ‘kept’ from the natural sense and can imagine all of what it involves. But, in the spiritual sense, the believer is likened to a bride who is in covenant relationship with the King of Glory and has the promise of being kept by Him.
In a time when morality is an all-time low and non-committed relationships are an all-time high, it is comforting and reassuring to be kept in the arms of God. He promises that He will keep you. A keeper is one who ‘guards, protects, observes, and watches over’ someone or something given into their trust. God proclaims Himself to be your Keeper, Protector, Guardian and Watchman!
Realize the benefits of being the ‘kept woman’ in God’s economy. First, it is a legitimate relationship. Hosea 2:19 says, “I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion.” God commits to a lasting-loving relationship with His bride for eternity. With that, the relationship is marked with tenderness, fidelity and righteousness.
This is a faithful, committed relationship. Deuteronomy 7:9 says, “understand therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, Who keeps covenant and steadfast love and mercy with those who love Him and keep His commandments.’
Being kept by God does have its privileges. He is a faithful Watchman who never sleeps nor slumbers (Psalm 121:3-4). He is your Protector who will ‘keep you safe and keep you from being trapped’ (Proverbs 3:26). Not only that, but He will ‘tell His angels to care for you and keep you in all your ways’ (Psalm 91:11). In this relationship, he also promises to keep you in complete peace, if you just keep your mind fixed on Him (Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:7). He is also able to ‘keep you from stumbling, and who will bring you into his glorious presence innocent of sin and with great joy’ (Jude 1:24).
Enjoy the protection, comfort, peace and joy from a covenant relationship with Jesus. In the words of the old hymn, “Oh, to be “Kept for Jesus!” Serving as He shall choose; “Kept” for the Master’s pleasure; “Kept” for the Master’s use.” He is a keeper, if you want to be kept!

PERFECTED, ESTABLISHED, STRENGTHENED AND SETTLED

“And after you suffer for a short time, God, who
gives all grace, will make everything right.
He will make you strong and support
you and keep you from falling. He called you
to share in his glory in Christ,
a glory that will continue forever.”
I Peter 5:10
(New Living Translation)

The age old question of ‘why do bad things happen to good people’ is still the topic of many books and discussions. Suffering is a characteristic of the Christian life and should be expected. 2 Timothy 3:12 says, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12).”
There are different types of suffering that can cause the believer much discomfort and pain. There is physical suffering, which occurs when a part of our physical body begins to malfunction or not operate the way it was intended. Mental suffering is caused when situations cause vexation, frustration and anguish in the mind. Spiritual suffering can manifest in different forms and can come from the world, the flesh or satan. Sometimes types of suffering can overlap. Imagine Job’s plight for example. He had all three at one time.
Your response to suffering and trials will determine the outcome. You can despise it, faint under it or be exercised by it and learn from it. (Read Hebrews 12:5-11). Regardless of the type of suffering, you must understand that God allows it so that you will yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness. Ultimately, suffering in the believer who is exercised by it and learns from it will bring glory to God and will be a vessel of honor able to be used for the divine purposes and plan of God.
The Apostle Peter states what suffering trials, persecution and chastening yield in the life of the believer. He also states emphatically that the suffering will be ‘a little while.’ This ‘little while’ in comparison to eternity is a short time. Compared to the glory that will be produced, it is a ‘light affliction.’ In any event, we must say like Job, “all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come” (Job 14:14).
If the believer responds with submission, it will first render you complete, or make you what you ought to be. Next, it will establish you. Suffering will make you stable-minded and consistent. Thirdly, it will strengthen you. It will cause you to be steadfast in the soul (mind, will and emotions). And finally, it will settle, or found you. This relates to your foundation. Your foundation will be sure and strong able to withstand the storms of life.
Suffering and chastening are the marks of sonship. The lack thereof shows spiritual illegitimacy. God allows it and it is filtered through the loving hands of your loving heavenly father. Your reaction to suffering will determine what it will produce in your life. God’s desire is for it to make you all that he intended for you to be from the beginning. Through suffering, God will do the work to make you into His image.

DON'T GIVE UP!

“We have troubles all around us, but
we are not defeated. We do not know what to do,
but we do not give up the hope of living.
We are persecuted, but God does not leave us.
We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed.”
(2 Corinthians 4:8-9)
New Century Version

Job 14:1 says, "How frail is humanity! How short is life, and how full of trouble!” Because we name the name of Christ does not mean that there will not be trouble, disappointment or pain. Again, Psalm 34:19 says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous.” From this passage we know and understand even the righteous are not exempt from troubles and problems. But, the later part of the verse says ‘but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.' That promise is our consolation in the midst of adversity.
The Apostle Paul suffered many things for the gospel’s sake. He realized that living a Christian life was not just a ‘flower bed of ease.’ The Christian life is full of persecution, opposition, suffering and adversity. Yet, Paul was determined to never give up! He had learned to differentiate between the dying and suffering of the natural man and the growth and maturity of the inner man. Romans 8:18 says, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.” In light of eternity, Paul counted the trials of this life incomparable with the future glory that will be manifested and revealed in us.
There will be times in your Christian life where you will say ‘If it’s not one thing, it is another. If it is not another, it’s the same thing.’ Paul was saying “I may be knocked down, but I am not knocked out!” Even in the moments of being mistreated and persecuted, we have the promise that God will always be with us. We must be able to find safety and comfort in the loving arms of Jesus in hard times. In times of being mistreated, we must learn that God is either working something in you to mature you or working something out of you to purify you.
In your Christian walk, even when you are doing all you know to do, you will be puzzled by events that occur, hurt and disappointed, but DON’T GIVE UP! There will be times when you just don’t know what to do. All this happens so that our natural, human flesh will be continually crucified so the life of Christ can be manifested in the earth.
Don't lose hope and giving up is not an option. Trials and tribulations are characteristics of the Christian life, but remember “For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever” (2 Corinthians 4:17)!

LET THE PRAISE BEGIN!

“Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,
and a two-edged sword in their hand”
Psalm 149:6
(King James Version)

The Christian life is a combination of adoration and conflict. God is an economist. He uses the most out of every commodity possible, including our praise. Praise is what he desires from his creation and is the very purpose for which we were created (1 Peter 2:9). At the same time, He says that our praise is a weapon against our adversary, the devil. Ultimately, praise pleases God, blesses the one offering praise, but also binds and frustrates the enemy.
Primarily, our praise and adoration of God is for His pleasure. The Bible says that God is enthroned on the praises of his people (Psalm 22:3). God delights when his people give him praise for his mighty works and deeds. Praise is the response of the believer for the mighty works of God. Praise is the logical response for those who have been washed in the blood of the lamb. (Psalm 33:1).
Next, as you offer praise to God for what He has done, you receive blessings from the Lord. In response to our blessing God, Psalm 67:6 says, “Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.” Remember, God is an economist. Not only does our praise enthrone God, it also causes God to bless us, and in addition, it also causes the earth to yield fruit. Our praise causes the land to produce a harvest!
Finally, when God’s people lift up their voices and begin to magnify God with high praises and the word of God, it turns to a battle of epic proportions! The enemy is routed, bound and chained. To ‘rout the enemy’ means “a defeat attended with disorderly flight; dispersal of a defeated force in complete disorder.” Deuteronomy 28:7 says, "The LORD will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven!”
The enemy will come to attack in your finances, health, relationships, marriage, mind, etc. He does this to get you to murmur and complain and ultimately get you to stop praising God. Don’t let him get away with touching your children, health, finances or mind! Psalms 149 says that kings and nobles (not early kings, but rulers of darkness) shall be bound with chains and fetters of iron. Rout him with HIGH praise and the word of God. Be armed with praise for all the great and marvelous things God has already done and is doing in your life. This is the honor intended for all the saints of God (Psalm 149:9).
This week, make praise a priority. Be like the psalmist and declare “Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments” (Psalm 119:164). Let the high praises of God begin!

HOLD ON.... HELP IS ON THE WAY!

“They said to the messengers who had come, "Thus you shall say to the men of Jabesh-gilead, `Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you will have deliverance.' " So the messengers went and told the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.”
1 Samuel 11:9
(The New American Standard Bible)

The people of Jabesh-gilead knew of the atrocities done to their brethren of Gad and Reuben at the hand of Nahash, the Ammorite king. Nahash, whose name means serpent, would gouge out the right eye of each Israelite he captured. In combat, the men held shields in their left hand hiding their left eye and looked at the enemy with the right eye. By gouging out the right eye, Nahash, incapacitated the Israelite soldiers from being effective warriors and it was also a mark of slavery.
The people of Jabesh-Gilead offered to make a treaty with Nahash which he accepted under the condition that he would maim them as he had done their brethren, by gouging out the right eye. Despondent, the people asked for seven days to reply and cried out for help from their brethren. Saul, who had recently been anointed king by the prophet Samuel, heard of the threats of Nahash and became very angry. The spirit of the Lord fell upon him and he gathered an army of over 300,000 men. He sent the word through messengers, that before the sun was hot on the next day, they would have HELP.
The Lord gave them a mighty victory against the Ammonites and they slaughtered them all morning. By the time the sun was at its highest point, not two of the Ammorite soldiers were left together. Help was not on the way, HELP had arrived!
What threat or tactic has the enemy sent to incapacitate you from being an effective warrior in the army of the Lord? Who or what is your Nahash? What is it that is trying to take your right eye of discernment? What is trying to enslave you? There are principles we can glean from the passage of scripture. First, realize that we do have an adversary, that old serpent, the devil (I Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:9). He tries through various schemes and traps to incapacitate and enslave you. Since he can’t kill you, he’ll settle for rendering you ineffective by enslaving you.
Next, don’t even consider making a treaty with the enemy. He is called an enemy for a reason! There is no such thing as a peace treaty with the devil. He is a liar and a deceiver, too. He will never abide by the terms set forth. He only comes to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10).
Thirdly, you must realize where your HELP comes from and cry out in prayer to God. Psalm 121:2 says, “My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” God may use a person to HELP, but realize, God is the real HELP. Psalm 146:3 says, “Don't put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there.” When you are under attack, cry out to God for HELP through prayer. Psalm 102:2 says, “Lord, don't turn away from me when I have troubles. Listen to me. When I cry for help, quickly answer me.” God promises to hear the cry of His people.
Finally, you may have to wait. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Cry out to God, be assured and hold on….HELP is on the way!

REAL THING OR A LOOK ALIKE?

“So king Rehoboam made more shields to put in their places. But these shields were made from bronze, {not gold}. He gave the shields to the men who were guarding the palace gates.”
I Kings 14:27
(Easy-to-Read Version)

Solomon’s temple and the contents were made of the finest materials. King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold, each containing over fifteen pounds of gold (2 Chronicles 9:16-16). Gold is the highest and most precious metal and represents righteousness or divinity.
After the death of Solomon the kingdom was divided and his son, Rehoboam, became King over Judah (two southern tribes of Judah & Benjamin). Rehoboam did evil in the sight of the Lord because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord (2 Chronicles 12:14). The people sinned worse than their fathers.
After he led the people into idolatry, Shishak, an Egyptian, rose up to attack Jerusalem, although he would not destroy them. He plundered Solomon’s temple and took away all the treasures, including the gold shields. Interestingly, Rehoboam replaced the shields, but rather than use gold, he used bronze.
When Rehoboam walked through the temple, the bronze shields looked like the genuine shields of his father, but in fact, they were a cheap look alike! Why did Rehoboam settle for a cheaper substitute? Did he not want to pay the price for the real thing? Did he want to keep up appearances to impress the people without paying the price? Gold is more costly than bronze, however, it will not rust or tarnish, unlike its counterpart. Bronze is a tin alloy. It is used to make bells and cymbals. Gold is tempered and durable. I Corinthians 13:1 says, “I may speak in different languages of people or even angels. But if I do not have love (GOLD), I am only a noisy bell or a crashing cymbal (Bronze).” We cannot replace the gold shield of the love of God with bronze look-alike of lust and selfishness.
Rehoboam and his guards knew the bronze shields were inferior, but they chose to keep them any way. They even guarded the bronze shields which were of no real value and were of inferior quality. Imagine the effort to keep up the appearance of the bronze shields! It may seem easier to choose a look alike, but be assured it will not stand the test of time. You will have to continue to polish and remove the tarnish. The counterfeit will always cost you more in the long run.
Are we substituting excellence with just being average and mediocrity? Which are we choosing? Are we offering the gold of repentance or the bronze of an apology or excuse? The gold of relationship with the bronze of religion? The gold of true unity with the bronze of ‘going along to get along’ and compromise? Accept only the real thing in your relationship with God. The gold will cost, but it is worth it!

LEARN THE LESSON

“For whatsoever things were written
aforetime were written for our learning,
that through patience and through
comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.”
Romans 15:4
(American Standard Version)

“A word to the wise is sufficient.” The scriptures provide such valuable lessons and instruction for the believer. If we are wise and study it out, it will be a wellspring of life. The scriptures provide comfort, guidance and instruction from three points of view. God so graciously provides the three perspectives so that the one who reads and obeys will have comfort, hope and good success (Joshua 1:8).
First, the Bible provides hindsight. We have the unique ability to look back and see 20/20. We are able to see the good decisions and bad decisions and their rewards or consequences. If we are wise, will be able to learn and glean from those who walked uprightly before the Lord like Enoch, Abraham and Elisha. At the same time, we can also learn from the mistakes (sins) of others like Cain, Asa, and David.
The Bible also provides foresight. We can read from the book of Daniel, Revelation and the gospels to see what will happen during the last times. We can prepare for the ‘perilous times’ and be sure to have enough oil in our lamps. We will know that our lamps must be kept trimmed and burning brightly. Having foresight into the future should cause us to walk circumspectly. Also, we can have hope and expectation because we already know the outcome for those who remain faithful.
Finally, and maybe the most important perspective is insight. Insight is vision for the moment. Although it is not hindsight or foresight, insight encompasses both so that one can connect the past and future to the present. What you do in the moment of insight will soon become part of your past, but will also determine your future. Insight is the fulcrum, or balance point. The Bible gives insightful instruction for day-to-day living.
Always looking back to the past or looking forward to the future can cause one to miss out on what should be done in the present. The word of God gives insight on how not to make the same mistakes over and how to live in the present and eternity in peace with God.
Are you learning the lessons and principles from the scriptures? It is an open book test. The Hebrew boys made it through the fiery furnace, but what will you do in yours? In your times of trial, will you endure with the patience of Job and fervent prayer of Elijah? Will you learn from our greatest example, Jesus Christ?
God’s word is timeless, unchanging, infallible and ever-living. Learn the lessons provided in the scripture. Study and apply the principles from the word of God to your life so you can experience the rich and satisfying life provided by Christ Jesus.

GOOD START... BAD FINISH!

“GOD is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people

who are totally committed to him. You were foolish to go for human help when you could have had God's help.

Now you're in trouble--one round of war after another."
2 Chronicles 16:9
THE MESSAGE BIBLE

King Asa was the third king of Judah and reigned forty-one years. His initial years as king were marked by reform and devotion to God. I Kings 15:11 says, “Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord.” He commanded Judah to ‘seek the Lord God of their fathers and do the law and the commandment’ (II Chronicles 14:4). Asa removed his own grandmother from being the queen because she had made an idol in a grove!
The Ethiopian army came up against the children of Judah and Asa prepared to meet them in battle. In II Chronicles 14:11, Asa cries out to the Lord and says ‘Lord, only you can help weak people against strong people! Help us, Lord our God! We depend on you. We fight against this large army in your name. Lord, you are our God! Don't let anyone win against you!’ The Lord responds and gives the children of Judah a great victory over their enemies.
Later, God sent the prophet Azariah to Asa and says “The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you look for the Lord, you will find him. But if you leave him, he will leave you.” With this promise of God’s presence, Asa continues his reforms and led the people in making a covenant to seek the Lord with all their heart and soul and said whoever refused would be put to death! Asa has a good start in reigning over the kingdom of Judah. He went from town to town throughout the land, removing pagan altars and shrines and prohibiting the sins associated with them. He restored proper worship of the LORD as the national religion.
However, when the King of Baasha comes up against the children of Israel, instead of seeking God, Asa makes a league with the king of Syria with the treasures from God’s house! They win the battle, but God sends another prophet, Hanani, with a word for Asa. In essence, God reminds Asa how for many years he sought His counsel and depended upon Him for protection. In return, God gave him peace. Now, since he had chosen the arm of the flesh, the time of peace would end and they would have war after war. Rather than repenting, Asa was so enraged he put the prophet in prison and began to oppress the people. Furthermore, in the later years of his reign, Asa had a disease in his feet. The bible says, 'yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians’ (2 Chronicles 16:12). Bad finish.
What made Asa choose the flesh over God’s help? Did he become complacent, over-confident, presumptuous? Did he not want to make the time to seek God and just take a ‘short-cut’? Did Asa forget that the eyes of the Lord were constantly watching out for those who would cry to him?
When we are whole-heartedly depending on God, we catch his eye and He comes to strengthen and defend. What can you learn from the life of King Asa? Who are you depending on today? It’s one thing to start good; it’s another thing to finish strong.

KNOW, BE STRONG, DO!

“…but the people who know their God
shall prove themselves strong
and shall stand firm and
do exploits [for God].”
Daniel 11:32
(The Amplified Bible)

The old testament prophet, Daniel gives insight of how a godly person should live in an ungodly world. One of his most endearing qualities was that he held to his convictions. Daniel remained loyal even in the face of adversity and death.
Daniel refused to defile himself with the king’s meat (Read Daniel 1-21) and he continued to pray three times a day, even after king Darius issued an edict that anyone who prayed to any god or man other than himself would be thrown into the lions' den. (Read Daniel Chapter 6). Daniel did not pray shut behind closed doors, but prayed with the windows open (v.10) for any and all to see. He did not just begin to pray when the edict was given, but Daniel prayed as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. Daniel did not continue to pray just to anger and defy the king; he knew the scriptures. When Solomon dedicated the temple he prayed that if the people sinned against God and were taken into exile, if they would pray towards the land God had given them and repent that he would hear their prayers (Read 2 Chronicles 6:36-39).
How was Daniel able to boldly stand against the edicts of two ungodly kings (Nebuchadnezzar and Darius) under the threat of death and without hesitation? He knew His God! Daily, he maintained private worship through prayer, study of the scriptures and fasting ( Daniel 9:1-3). Daniel’s knowledge of what God said during private times of worship gave him strength
and courage not to succumb under the pressure of being in an idolatrous nation under an ungodly king.
His strength was in direct proportion to his knowledge of God! From his strength, he was able to do great exploits, or notable, heroic acts. Here, the great acts were not opening blinded eyes, raising the dead or opening deaf ears. The great exploits were being steadfast in all temptations, holding fast to his faith, and having a good conscience. As a result, Nebuchadnezzar, an idolatrous king’s declared that Daniel’s God was the greatest of gods (Daniel 2:46-49). Belshazzar promoted him to third highest ruler in Babylon (Daniel 5:29) and Darius declared that “the God of Daniel is the living God” (Daniel 6:25-27). I believe the exploits that we will do in the last days are to ‘shine as lights in a crooked and perverse generation (Philippians 2:15) and ‘to live unspotted from the world’ (James 1:27).
We are most certainly living in last and perilous times in an idolatrous nation. It is imperative that believers know their God through prayer, bible study and fasting – private worship. It is from this DAILY intimate union with God, strength is supplied to withstand every situation and circumstance and accomplish great things for the advancement of God’s kingdom – turning the hearts of others to the ONE TRUE and LIVING GOD. Know God, be strong and do great things for Him!

WORSHIP IN THE WILDERNESS

“..Let my people go, that they
may worship me in the wilderness…”
Exodus 7:16

“…God led you through the wilderness for forty years,

humbling you and testing you to prove your character,

and to find out whether or not you

would really obey his commands.”
Deuteronomy 8:2

The Bible says that after Joseph died, another pharaoh rose up and oppressed the children of Israel fearing that they would begin to outnumber the Egyptians. (Exodus 1:11-14). After the children of Israel had been in bondage for almost 400 years, God sent Moses to pharaoh with a message to release His people. The reason he demands their release is not for their human rights or equal rights, not even, their civil rights. He demands their release so they can worship Him! It would seem that God would be most concerned about the injustices and hardships of His people. However, His primary focus was worship.
His secondary objective according to scripture was to humble, prove and to see if they would really obey all of his commands. Although he knew the people would rebel and disobey Him, yet He gave them the highest probability for success. Not only did He outline His expectations with their rewards, he told them what would happen if they chose to disobey. He also performed miracle, after miracle, after miracle to prove to them that He would perform every promise that He made to them. He fed them daily with manna from heaven. Neither their clothes nor their shoes wore out. He proved to them over and over again that He was faithful, trustworthy and worthy of their worship. The wilderness was the place to see if they were worshiping because they loved and trusted God or if they were only serving Him for what He could give.
The wilderness proved if genuine worship was in the hearts of the Hebrews. But, every time they faced a hardship, instead of worshiping they murmured and complained. Their tears were not tears of adoration, but contempt because they longed for the onions and leeks of Egypt ( Numbers 11:4-15)! Moses had gone up in the mountain to talk to the Lord and stayed too long for the people. When he came down, he heard the noise of a celebration. There was singing and dancing in the camp, but they were worshipping a golden calf instead of the true God (Exodus 32:1-35).
The wilderness represents testing. Jesus was sent into the wilderness to be tested of the devil. You will be sent there, as well. The purposes for the wilderness have not changed. It is to worship God and to see what is in your heart.
What will you do in the wilderness? God has proven himself to us over and over again. He has proven Himself to be faithful and a provider. We can’t be too hard on the Hebrews, we may be just like them! Will there be a sound of celebration – but to a golden calf? Will there be tears of adoration, reverence and awe in response to a faithful God or are they tears of longing for the comfort of your own will and way? You see worship is not about location. It’s about the reality of who God is. If you can’t worship and trust God in the wilderness, you surely can’t worship and trust God in Canaan, the land of promise. Circumstances and location do not dictate worship, but it is a matter of the heart and obedience.

PRIVATE WORSHIP

“But when you pray, go away by yourself,
shut the door behind you, and pray to
your Father secretly. Then your Father,
who knows all secrets, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:6
(New Living Translation)

"Seven days without prayer makes one weak."

William Temple defines worship this way, "To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination by the beauty of God, to open the heart to the love of God, and to devote the will to the purpose of God." This type of worship is the all-encompassing activity of man. Worship is not something you do, it should be who you are. Again, man is an essentially worshiping creature. He will find someone or something to worship.
God requests that His people worship Him through prayer. He says in Jeremiah 33:3, `Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.' One of the greatest forms of worship is prayer. Our Lord himself was found praying in a mountain all alone (Matthew 14:23), praying early in the morning (Mark 1:35), or all through the night (Luke 6:12). He always made the time to commune with the Father in solitude.
Prayer shows your dependence and reliance on God and gives worth to His omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence. This communing with God is the spiritual response to His sovereignty and power. In spending time alone talking to God, there is adoration and praise, thanksgiving, confession of sin, supplications and petitions. God hears and responds to our cries with guidance, renewal of the spirit, soul and body and open reward.
As Jesus was teaching the sermon on the mount, He instructs believers to spend time alone in prayer. He does not want us to be pretentious in front of others and not have an intimate, personal relationship with Him. In essence, he teaches that the motivation for prayer must be sincere, without empty repetitions and done in faith. Prayer is not a ‘genie-in-the bottle’ type wish list. Prayer is actually developing a personal relationship with the God of the Universe.
In secret prayer you can fully concentrate and engage with God, free from the distractions and cares of this life. It allows you to pour out your soul to God and receive His comfort, peace and insight.
Make prayer your daily occupation. Find a special time when you can get away from it all and talk to the Sovereign Lord. Luke 18:1 says that “men should always pray and never lose hope.” The reward of secret prayer is that you get know to know your God who will empower you to do great exploits (Daniel 11:28).
Prayer is a command, not a suggestion. Do it in obedience. It will become your daily discipline and ultimately it will become your delight! Take the time today and everyday to worship God through private secret prayer. The rewards are out of this world!

TRUE CIRCUMCISION

“For we who worship God in the Spirit
are the only ones who are truly circumcised.
We put no confidence in human effort.
Instead, we boast about what
Christ Jesus has done for us.”
Philippians 3:3
(New Living Translation)

The Abrahamic Covenant encompassed basically three promises from God to Abraham. God promised Abraham land, descendants, blessing and redemption (Genesis 17:1-14). Circumcision was a sign of the covenant God made with Abraham and the Hebrew people (Genesis 17:10). It is the removal of the foreskin of the male reproductive organ and was to be performed on infant males when they were eight days old. The sign of circumcision was a private, but constant reminder of God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendants and also reminded them that they belonged to and worshiped God. Circumcision gave them identity.
Although the Hebrews bore the sign of circumcision, they failed to obey God from their heart. Repeatedly, God commanded His people to “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked” (Deuteronomy 4:4; 10:16; 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4). God’s people had come to rely on the outward sign of the covenant and relieved themselves of the responsibility to obey His words and commands. In the new testament, the issue of circumcision brought about factions and disputes within the body (Acts 15:5). But, Paul clearly addressed the matter in Romans 2:17-29 and says, “No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not a cutting of the body but a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. Whoever has that kind of change seeks praise from God, not from people.” We know that we are part of the family of God when our hearts have been changed and worship God in spirit and in truth. This is true, spiritual circumcision and gives us our identity in the family of God!
Circumcision of the flesh is no longer the sign for being in a covenant, worship relationship with God. It is the circumcision of the heart, or the cutting away of the old man and nature. The externals are futile if we neglect the internal heart change. If we allow the internal heart change by God’s spirit, the externals will follow. However, we never rely on what we do for Him, but always on what He has done for us on the cross!
External motions and forms of worship do not necessarily mean that we can claim the rights of the blessing of Abraham. Circumcision of the heart is the way of expressing that you are like Abraham by virtue of your faith in Christ. This faith will affect your heart, attitude and lifestyle regardless of whether you are a physical descendent or not.
True worship is not based on human effort but is your response to what Christ has done on the cross. We are to rejoice in His finished work and put no confidence in what we do but rely on Jesus Christ!

SOMEONE ELSE WANTS YOUR WORSHIP

“The devil said to him,
"I will give all this to you, if you
will bow down and worship me."
Matthew 4:9
(New American Standard Bible)

Worship is of the utmost importance to God. Revelation 4:11 says, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Absolutely everything was created for God’ pleasure, even the angels. Unfortunately, one of the angels, Lucifer, decided that he wanted to be worshipped instead of being a worshiper!
If you will take the time to read Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:13-17, you will find a description of two kings. While these two passages are referring specifically to the king of Babylon and the King of Tyre, they also reference the spiritual power that was behind those kings - Satan. He became lifted up in pride, rebelled against God and thought to exalt himself above the throne of God! He was even successful in leading one-third of the angels in the revolt (Revelation 12:4). For this high treason, he was cast out of heaven. Since that time, his hatred of God and mankind has raged on through the annals of time and will one day climax with him ultimately be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). Until that time, he wants revenge against God by turning worship from God to himself. He continues his attempt to turn what God created for His pleasure against him.
While Jesus, the son of God, walked the earth, Satan offered Jesus the world if he would only worship him. He used the same old lines in the Garden of Eden against Adam and Eve. It worked then, but Jesus was armed with the WORD of GOD. Jesus succeeded in true worship where Adam and Eve fell.
Satan wants you to engage in self-worship like he did. In an effort to redirect your worship, Satan’s temptation tactics can be summed up in three areas; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life. Satan wants to you to take all the things that were created for God’s glory and skew and distort them for your own pleasure.
Just as he tempted Jesus and Adam and Eve, he will tempt you because he doesn’t want you to worship God, but his world system. Ultimately, the conflict is between God and Satan. We are only pawns to Satan, but priceless to God. Don’t give him the worship that is due to God and God alone. Stay in a position and posture of humility, resist the devil, use the word and worship God with passion and extravagance!

WHO?

“Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD?
Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?”
Psalm 15:1
(New Living Translation)

You were created to worship God. There are various aspects of worship that must be taken into consideration. First, who or what you will worship? Secondly, is your worship acceptable to the true and living God? David posed this question in Psalm 15 and the characteristics of a true worshipper are outlined in the verses that follow.

Notice, David addressed his questions to God himself and did not seek the opinions of any other. It was vitally important that David knew God’s standards for acceptable worship since it was, in fact, for Him. It is interesting that in a Barna research study, only three out of ten church-going adults (29%) indicated that they view worship as something that is focused primarily on God. Can you effectively offer something acceptable to God without truly having the correct perspective and focus?

So, exactly who is counted a true member of God's church? Who is allowed to enter into that place where God manifests himself and meets his people? What kind of person will never be shaken and always close to God (v.5)? The description and standards of the true worshipper is given in the Word of God.

The first characteristic of true worshipers is that they will lead a blameless life and do what is right, or are people of integrity. The will also speak the truth from a sincere heart. Next, they will refuse to gossip, which is idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others. They will not speak evil of their friends or harm their neighbors. They will despise flagrant, persistent sinners and honor the faithful followers of the Lord. Next, they will keep their promises even when it hurts. They will lend money without charging interest and finally they cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.

The companion scripture to further describe the true worshiper is found in Psalm 24:3-4. This psalm goes on to say that the true worshiper of God will do right for the right reasons, will not worship idols or tell lies under oath.

God is quite clear about who can offer acceptable worship to Him. Although worship is entirely for God it has residual and reciprocal properties. Psalm 24:5 says, “They will receive the LORD's blessing and have right standing with God their savior.”

Take time to review the characteristics of a true worshiper and see how you measure up in view of God’s righteous standards. Are you a worshiper in name only or do you fit the description of a true worshiper? God is still looking for true worshipers who will worship Him in spirit and in truth.

I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU

“Yet a time is coming and has now come
when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth,

for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”
John 4:23
New International Version

Jesus began to share with a Samaritan woman regarding worship. The Jews and Samaritans worshipped in separate locations. When Jesus engaged this woman in conversation, he began to reveal God’s ultimate criteria for true worship. He mentioned nothing of physical location, but it must be done in spirit and in truth. Jesus makes a clear distinction of worshippers that the Father is seeking for by adding ‘true’. Therefore, there must be a false worshipper.

The first criterion for true worship is that it must be done in the spirit. The human spirit is the place of the conscious, intuition and communion. Simply put, true worship is the regenerated spirit (John 3:5-8) receiving revelation of who God truly is and man’s response through reverence, adoration and worth to God. Worshipping God in the spirit moves the act of worship from the externals to the internals of the heart. Not to trivialize going to a place of worship, but it really is futile unless it is the result of daily living every aspect of your life in obedience to God in response to what God has done for you by His grace (Romans 12:1). Otherwise, it is unacceptable and God says, “These people say they honor me, but they don't really make me an important part of their lives” (Matthew 15:8; Isaiah 29:13).

The second criterion for worship is that it must be done in truth. What is truth? His word is truth (John 17:17). Therefore, we must worship Him as it is outlined in the scriptures. We cannot worship Him based on what seems best or right in our own eyes, because most of the time, we think we are right (Proverbs 21:2)! Proverbs 16:25 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Truth is not arbitrary. Furthermore, worship in truth is grounded in the truth we know about God! We must study the scriptures daily. The more you know about God and live in obedience to Him, the deeper your worship will become.
The scriptures give clear instructions on how to worship. God will only accept that which is in harmony with what he has outlined in his word. God is on the hunt for people who will worship him from the heart and in truth of His word and for who He really is.

Are you one of the TRUE worshippers God is looking for?

YOU BECOME WHAT YOU WORSHIP

“People who make idols will be like them, and
so will those who trust them.”
Psalm 115:8
(New Century Version)

Worship shapes your life. Worship is used of any show of respect to someone or something to whom one feels indebted. Worship, or ‘worthship’, is shown to men, beings or things considered superior in rank. The person worshipping attributes great worth, value and appreciation to the person or object.
Throughout scripture, God commands his people to worship Him and Him alone. True worship carries the idea of showing reverence to God. It's an active, adoring response that declares His worth. True worship means to bow down and pay homage to the one true and living God. Worship to anything or anyone else is idolatry (Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 5:7) which God hates. God, of course, knows that worship has transforming qualities and Romans 8:29 says, “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son.” It is through worship that this process of transformation occurs. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.” If we choose to worship something or someone else, the transformation still takes place. You begin to look like your decision! The question is not will you worship; it is whom or what will you worship. We may not make graven images of silver, gold or wood, but anything that we allow to come into the mind, permit to rise up in the heart, or to be mentally occupied and busy with more than GOD becomes an idol. An idol can relate to a thing or person which a man will not put out of his mind and esteems it higher than God’s law. (Read Ezekiel 14:3).
Today, take time to identify modern day idols. Could it be a person, career, leisure activities, status, money, education, self-image, or is it the American Dream? Do you trust in something or someone more than the true and living God? Do you attribute more worth and esteem to something or someone more than God? Are you looking more like Jesus each day? Take the time to evaluate your worship. God does. He is seeking for true worshippers that will worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).

DAILY ACT OF WORSHIP

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead
with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be
a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will accept.

When you think of what he has done for you,
is this too much to ask?”
Romans 12:1
(New Living Translation)

After Paul describes man’s fallen state and God’s great mercy in the beginning chapters of the book of Romans, he begins chapter twelve by urging the believers to present their lives to God as an act of worship. In light of all God had done, offering Him a living, holy sacrifice would be the only reasonable, logical response.
First, he urges us to offer our bodies to God. In the Old Testament, the people offered animal sacrifices to God as acts of worship. But, the animal sacrifices were only a shadow of the finished work of Christ on the Christ. At Calvary, Jesus acted as the one offering the sacrifice, the victim and priest. The work of the cross provides those that believe in Christ new life. This new life is the only thing that can be offered as an acceptable sacrifice to God. By accepting the work of Christ on the cross, the old life is gone and the new life has come. Since we have been given this new life, we should daily offer our bodies to Him as an act of worship. Christ’s work on the cross was once and for all. Our act of presenting our bodies to Him is a daily, ongoing act of worship. Secondly, he gives the guidelines for the sacrifice. What is offered to God must be living, holy and acceptable to God’s standards.
What does all this mean? It means that worship is more than singing songs on Sunday. True, acceptable worship is done daily by living every aspect of your life in light of what God has done for you by His grace. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” How our world would be transformed if every aspect of our life was done as an act of worship to God! Imagine marital relationships if both treated one another as if an offering to God. Imagine how our work place would be transformed if our job performance was done as an act of worship to God and not just for a paycheck or a pat on the back. Imagine our churches full of people actually serving in ministry simply because of what God has already done and provided. Imagine that!
As you consider all that God has done for you, is it really too much to ask to offer Him your life on a daily basis? Consider it and realize, it is just your reasonable service.