HAVE A READY WORD

“The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue
of the learned, that I should know how to
speak a word in season to him that is weary:
he wakeneth morning by morning,
he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.”
Isaiah 50:4
King James Version

There are so many people today who need answers to so many questions. The daily cares of life, the current economic situation, upcoming presidential election, and other plethora of issues have left many faint-hearted, weary and fatigued. Who really has the answers and solutions to all these questions?
God has placed his sons and daughters in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation to be seen as bright lights, stars or beacons shining out clearly in a dark world (Philippians 2:15) to give answers to a hopeless world. Every answer to every question is in the mouth of those who sit in the seat of learning to hear what the Spirit of God is saying for the situation.
Members of the body of Christ, not just clergy, should have a ready word to share at all times in order to comfort, help, support and come to the aid of those who are in need of an answer. The phrase, ‘tongue of the learned’ means that a person has been taught, trained and skilled. But, where does this training and education come from? Be certain, we have enough ungodly psychobabble and humanistic, worldly
wisdom. James 3:15 says wisdom that does not come from God is “earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the devil.” True words of wisdom that come from God are “spirit and life.”
In order to have the ‘tongue of the learned,’ one must also have the ‘ear of the learned.’ This means you hear with attention or obedience and give undivided, listening attention. This must be done morning by morning. We must be willing to sit in the seat of learning and listen to receive daily bread and the proceeding word of God on a daily, consistent basis. It is at this place, we receive understanding of His will. We never know who or what we may encounter through the course of the day, but when we are prepared by having the ear of the learned we will be able to speak with the tongue of the learned and ‘never be at a loss as to how to answer anyone who puts a question to you’ (Colossians 4:6).
Your answer may be a matter of life and death to someone who comes across your path today. Are you prepared with a ready word to comfort, edify and encourage? Each morning put your ear to the mouth of God for a ready word.

STIRRED NOT SHAKEN

“Now while Paul waited for them at Athens,
his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.”
(Acts 17:16)

“That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled,
neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as
from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.”
II Thessalonians 2:2

When the Apostle Paul entered Athens, he assessed that the city was a cesspool of idolatry. There were idols to every god imaginable. Paul’s spirit was grieved, irritated and exasperated to the point of righteous indignation. He did not just turn and leave the city, but what he saw moved him to action. Idolatry was the very thing that God punished Israel for over and over again. Being stirred in his spirit, he went to the synagogue and began to preach Jesus. It is here the Apostle Paul delivered his famous speech about the identity of "the Unknown God” whom they ignorantly worshiped.
Our day is no different from then. Idolatry is widespread throughout our nation. Although we may not bow down to little statues, we see idolatry throughout the world. Idolatry can be defined as the worship or reverence given to any created object or person other than the true and living God.
What should be the response of the born again believer in these evil, perilous times? Paul, in II Thessalonians encouraged the church not to be agitated or shaken by false prophets and teachers who taught against the Day of the Lord. Paul exhorted them to keep their focus and not be agitated or disturbed in their minds even in the midst of people falling away from the faith and the anti-christ exalting himself above “all that is called God” (II Thessalonians 2:4). He admonished them to stand firm and not waver from the faith. He also encouraged them rather to pray that the word of the Lord have “free course and be glorified” (2 Thessalonians 3:1). Paul warns of the ‘great falling away’ because of the spirit of deception and the lying spirit.
In these last days, we must awake and be cognizant of what is transpiring in our world. We cannot allow the evil and wickedness to cause us to fall away from the faith or be disheartened. But, rather like the Apostle Paul, we should be stirred in our spirit to action. We must be active in prayer and intercession and sharing the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. This is not the hour to be complacent, passive, lukewarm and neutral. We must be steadfast and unwavering even in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. Do not allow yourself to be shaken by the headlines. These things must be to fulfill the scripture. Rather be stirred to action.

GOD IS FAITHFUL!

“If we are faithless
[do not believe and are untrue to Him],
He remains true (faithful to
His Word and His righteous
character), for He cannot deny Himself.”
II Timothy 2:13
The Amplified Bible

Proverbs 20:6 says, “Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is really faithful?” To be faithful means to be steadfast in affection or allegiance. Synonyms for the word faithful are loyal, constant, steadfast and resolute. To be loyal is a firm resistance to any temptation to desert or betray. A constant friend is one who continues in firmness of emotional attachment without necessarily implying strict obedience to promises or vows. A resolute ally is one who has firm determination to adhere to a cause or purpose. And finally, to be steadfast implies a steady, unwavering course in love, allegiance or conviction. God exemplifies every one of those qualifications, every time, ALL the time! God is the epitome of faithfulness. He always has been and always will be. He cannot deny himself.
God’s character and His word are immutable, or unchanging, and infallible. “God is not a man, that he should lie. He is not a human, that he should change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through” (Numbers 23:19)? When God makes a promise, he is faithful to his word. When he made the promise to Abraham the Bible says that he “could swear by no greater, so he sware by himself" (Hebrews 6:13). He gave His word and his promise and was alert and active, watching over His word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12).
God’s character, word and promises are not based on our faithfulness. Regardless of our lack of faithfulness, disobedience and rebellion, doubt and unbelief, passivity and complacency, GOD cannot deny Himself and he will continue to be faithful. The children of Israel did not believe what he said, ‘did their unbelief make the faithfulness of God of none effect? God forbid: yea, let God be found true, but every man a liar” (Romans 3:3-4).
In these turbulent times, many are making promises that still must be proven. God never makes empty promises and He always comes through. He doesn’t leave it up to man to complete or fulfill His word. I Thessalonians 5:24 says, “Faithful is he that called you, who also will do.” Put your trust in the Almighty God. He is faithful, loyal, steadfast and resolute. You can depend on Jesus. God is faithful.

PUT YOUR TRUST IN GOD - Part II

“Thus says the Lord: Cursed
[with great evil] is the strong man who
trusts in and relies on frail man,
making weak [human] flesh his arm,
and whose mind and heart turn
aside from the Lord.”
Jeremiah 17:5
The Amplified Bible

King Ahaz was a king of Judah. The Bible says that he did wicked in the eyes of the Lord. He encouraged the moral decline in Judah and was continually unfaithful to the Lord. He was so evil that he even burned his children in the fire to false gods. He committed idolatry by sacrificing and burning incense in the high places, on the hills and ‘under every green tree’ (II Chronicles 28:4). If that were not enough, he also trusted in the arm of flesh (man) more than he trusted in God.
Because of his wickedness, the Lord was against his entire sixteen year administration. He suffered constant military invasions by the surrounding nations. They even fought against their own brethren and the king of Israel took them captive. The king of Israel captured 200,000 of their women, sons and daughters to make them their slaves. Yet, God was gracious to send a prophet to warn the Israelites not to enslave their brethren and gave Ahaz an opportunity to repent and trust in Him. Again, Ahaz refused.
Later, when he was being attacked by Syria and Israel, the Lord sent the prophet Isaiah to encourage Ahaz that the he would not allow the attack to be successful. The Lord told Ahaz that he could even ask for a sign to bolster his faith. Hypocritically he said, “I will not ask a sign or tempt the Lord” because he made an alliance with the king of Assyria to help him. Ahaz took treasures from the house of the Lord, his own house and from the leader’s homes to pay the king. But, II Chronicles 28:20 says, Assyria attacked Ahaz instead of helping him! Even during this time of trouble, Ahaz chose to worship the idols he had seen in Damascus the nation that had defeated him. He said “since these gods helped the kings of Aram, they will help me, too, if I sacrifice to them” (II Chronicles 28:23). Ahaz went from bad to worse. He continually trusted in the arm of the flesh so much so that he closed the temple of the Lord. When Ahaz died the kingdom was in one of the worst states of moral decline. Ahaz was such an evil king, the people would not even bury him in the royal cemetery of the kings of Judah but in a commoner’s grave.
Ahaz chose the weak, frail arm of the flesh. Where have you put your trust and confidence? Do not follow the poor example of Ahaz. Put your trust in God. Psalm 20:7 says, “some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” Trust in no other source than the one true and living God.

PUT YOUR TRUST IN GOD

“Confidence in an unfaithful man
in time of trouble
is like a broken tooth,
and a foot out of joint.”
Proverbs 25:19
King James Version

We are living in turbulent times. Each and every day the news is filled with reports of home foreclosures, the economic crisis, crimes, bail out discussions and the list goes on and on. What is phenomenal is the fact that what is at the source of causing all the trouble is the same source that is proposing to fix all of the crisis situations: people. People always come up with good ideas, the new and improved and better way. Yet, it always ends in disappointment and failure or creates new problems. Have you ever listened to the new drug advertisements that offer a treatment for your current illness? At the end, they list all the side effects that may occur because of taking the drug. What they announce as a breakthrough in medicine can also cause other serious injuries. Man is not the answer!
Confidence in man is futile and unwise. To put your trust, reliance and security in a human being at best would classify as high risk. The Bible says in Psalm 118:8-9, “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.” It is not necessarily that all people are evil, unfaithful and untrustworthy. It is just that man is limited in His capabilities. Humans have their own weaknesses and frailties. The Bible says, “we are but dust” (Psalm 103:14). Man does not have complete control, only God rules, reigns and has complete sovereignty. Not only that, but the Bible says the ‘heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked who can know it’ (Jeremiah 17:9). Why would you trust someone who cannot even know their own heart?! It is a fact, however, that many have no integrity and are simply out for their own agenda and welfare promising results that they have no control over. Man does have some power, but God alone has ALL power. So, to put your reliance in unfaithful man is like chewing on an abscessed tooth or walking on a broken foot. It is very painful. Why? Because only God is faithful!
Today, in the midst of all the turmoil, bad news and promises, remember to be your confidence only in God. He is faithful to His word and he truly has the power to back up what he says!

THE REMEDY: REPENTANCE & CONFIDENT TRUST

“For thus saith the Lord GOD,
the Holy One of Israel;
In returning and rest shall ye be saved;
in quietness and in confidence
shall be your strength: and ye would not.”
Isaiah 30:15
King James Version

The Lord demonstrated His faithfulness, grace and mercy to the children of Israel. He consistently remained faithful to them even when they walked in rebellion, disobedience and idolatry. God always gave them the remedy for their condition and always promised He would receive and accept them if they would only repent and trust Him.
The prophet Isaiah began to prophesy to the children of Israel and call them to repentance. They had forsaken the Lord and refused and rejected all warnings and counsel. In fact, they decided to take counsel from other sources (v. 1-2). The children of Israel decided to turn to the counsel of and find solace in the pagan gods of the Egyptians. The Israelites were so rebellious they did not even want to hear the word of the Lord from the true prophets, but rather wanted smooth words and actually wanted to be deceived with lies (v. 9-10). They were basically saying to the prophets, ‘be quiet and leave us alone. Leave us to our own way because we do not want to go the way of the Lord. If you speak, only speak what we want to hear and what will make us feel good.’
God began to speak through the prophet Isaiah to warn them of the futility of trusting and relying on any other source other than Him. Their trust in other sources would lead to disappointment, failure and heartache. The very thing they trusted would cause their demise.
The actions that would correct and counteract their rebellion were to repent and rest in Him. In returning to the Lord they would be liberated, delivered and saved from their moral troubles. True repentance would allow them to live in tranquility and rest. This state of confident trust in God would cause them to be brave, valiant and mighty. Unfortunately, the children of Israel still refused to turn.
Who or what are you trusting in? Do you trust in Egypt (the world system)? Do you trust in the promises of politicians? The economy? Trust in the Lord and do not put your confidence in any other source. Any other entity or source will fail EVERYTIME! Only God can be trusted. Today, turn away from every other source that is not the true and living God. Trusting God gives confident rest and great strength!

TRULY BURIED - Water Baptism

Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
John 3:5
The NAS Strong’s Version

Have you been baptized? Did you truly understand the significance of water baptism at the time? Water baptism is a faith declaration of victory. To truly understand it will reinforce, fortify and strengthen victory in the heart and mind of the believer. It is truly a work of the Spirit of God.
The first question to address is what is baptism? It is derived from a Greek word which means “to dip”, or the act of immersing a person in water. It consists of the processes of Immersion, Submersion and Emergence. These processes are used to describe the Christian or believer’s baptism. Immersion is defined as, “to plunge into, under, or within anything especially water.” Submersion, or to submerge means “to put or sink below the surface of water, to cover or bury; subordinate.” It includes the word merge which means to combine or unite with something to form a single entity, or to blend together two or more things. Finally, baptism includes the process of emergence, or “the act of emerging”. It is the act or process of coming out, or to appear out or from behind (under) something.
To sum these things together, baptism includes the process of immersion, which signifies the believer’s death. It is the moving from old life to death, or dying to his old nature. Once immersed or put under, the submerged believer is merged/united with Christ. This signifies the believer’s association with Christ, the abandonment of the old life and taking on the new life. This new life is attained and has provided to those who believe and trust in Christ. The “merged” believer rises or emerges from the water, not the old person he once was, but as a new man, into new life and a new nature. Romans 6:4 states, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism unto death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Furthermore, water baptism is an outward, physical expression of an inward, spiritual reality. It is a public declaration of a Christian’s desire to be a disciple of Christ. Have you associated yourself with Christ through baptism? It is the believer’s faith declaration of victory over death and the rising again to new life.

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN! Part II

Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
John 3:5
The NAS Strongs Version

In context it would seem, Nicodemus, came to Jesus by night to question his identity and the Messiah’s kingdom. Note, he did not address him as Jesus, but only “Rabbi,” or teacher. Nicodemus was a learned man and recognized that no one could perform the miracles that Jesus did without God being with him. He went even further to accept that Jesus was ‘a great teacher sent from God.’
Jesus short circuits Nicodemus’ questions and goes straight for the crux of the matter because he sees the state of his soul. He does not even address the question of his identity but tells him “unless a person is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Jesus begins to teach the teacher that being born again is a work of the spirit. The water is an outward emblem of the inward working of the Spirit.
The Pharisees were masters of the law and already followed strict adherence to the law. They baptized proselytes with water upon their entrance into the Jewish religion. The Jews trusted in their rituals and rights for admittance into the kingdom of God.
Jesus totally challenges this theology by stating one must be born of ‘water and Spirit.’ They are not two separate identities, but without the work of the Spirit, the water is just water. True baptism requires a work of the Spirit. The water represents the inward working of the spirit washing the soul purifying it from its defilement and strengthening it to walk in the way of truth and holiness.
Regeneration, or being born again, is a work of the Spirit. It results in the ‘renovation and production of a new life consecrated to God accompanied by a radical change of mind for the better.’ Being baptized without the Spirit energizing and transforming the soul amounts to and is nothing more than a dip in water.
Jesus declares emphatically that entrance into his kingdom requires a person to be born of water and the Spirit. Water baptism alone does not save. It must be by [the] cleansing [bath] of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). This inward work of the Spirit will have dramatic outward manifestations. Have you been born of water and Spirit?

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN!

"Do not be amazed
that I said to you,
`You must be born again.'
John 3:7
New American Standard

It is very possible to be morally good and even religious and yet not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We see such an instance in the person of Nicodemus. He was a Pharisee and a prominent member of the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish religious and political council. He was educated and a well respected leader, however, he had not experienced the new birth.
The account between Jesus and Nicodemus is quite eye-opening. Knowing that Nicodemus was a Pharisee and part of the Sanhedrin, we see Nicodemus’ problem of conforming to the moral codes of his day and religious rituals for entrance into the kingdom of God rather than sound biblical interpretation.
Simply speaking, the account between Nicodemus and Jesus reflected the vast chasm between the accepted religion of that time (Judaism) with the true gospel of the kingdom. The accepted norms of the day were filled with tradition and religious ritual that resulted in a lot of head knowledge but absolutely no heart experience or change in their lives. They had not been regenerated or born again.
Today, when asked if a person is saved, many respond, ‘I go to church,’ I have been baptized,’ or ‘I am a good person.’ Like Nicodemus, they can become settled and comfortable with the accepted norms of the day. However, Jesus’ statement is still in true today, “You must be born again to enter into the kingdom of God!”
What does it mean to be born again? Titus 3:5 says, “He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing [bath] of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” The word regeneration means ‘renovation, the production of a new life consecrated to God, a radical change of mind for the better.’ Being born again will result in a radical change of thinking which will manifest in a change of behavior and lifestyle. Has there been a radical change in your life for the better concerning being consecrated (set apart) for God? We are not fit to enter into the Kingdom of God unless this radical change in our aims, affections, mind and principles takes place. Have you been born again?

THE REWARD OF BROKENNESS

“For thus says the high and exalted One Who
lives forever, whose name is Holy,
"I dwell on a high and holy place, And also
with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to
revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive
the heart of the contrite.”
Isaiah 57:15
New American Standard

In their usual cycle, the children of Israel had forsaken the righteous paths and turned to idolatry and their own ways. God in His love sent the prophet Isaiah to warn them of their sin and call them to repentance. They were rebellious, deceitful, consistently disregarded the warnings and chose to walk in their own way. Isaiah 57:11 says, “Why were you more afraid of them than of me? How is it that you don't even remember me or think about me?” The children of Israel had become so obstinate they began to fear man more than God! Not only that, God also told them, “You grew weary in your search, but you never gave up. You strengthened yourself and went on” in your idolatry and in your own way (v.10). Their lives were empty and void of true joy and peace yet they were determined to do it their own way. They failed to realize the futility of walking in their own way and the danger of forsaking God. He continually warned them that the reward for walking in their own way would not profit them at all and when they cried out in trouble they should look to their collection of idols to rescue and deliver them out of their troubles.
But God, in His love and mercy gave them the answer to their backsliding: humility and contrition. God wanted them to simply acknowledge their sin, humble themselves, be godly sorry and come to repentance. He promised he would reward their brokenness with a revival of their spirit and their heart. God promised to give new life and dwell with those who were truly penitent for sin. Their brokenness would result in them being strengthened, refreshed and having His presence.
Ultimately, living and walking in our own way is futile. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12). But, if we turn to Him, he says, “I will give peace, real peace and I will heal” (v.19).
Are you walking in your ways? Are you living a broken life before God? Matthew 5:4 says, “Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted.” Experience the reward of brokenness today by turning to God in humility and godly sorrow. Receive His new life and have your heart and soul revived by His presence.

BROKEN OR CRUSHED?

“The person that falls
on this stone will be broken.
And if the stone falls on a person,
then it will crush that person."
Matthew 21:44
Easy-to-Read Version

The chief priests and scribes rejected and refused to accept Jesus as their Messiah. To them, Jesus was a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense (Matthew 21:42). They rejected and killed the prophets and crucified the ‘Prince of Life’ (Acts 3:15). They refused to be broken, trust and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. They did not want to lose their temporal authority and positions of honor among the people. They were religious. The priests and scribes knew the holy scriptures, however, they failed to recognize their savior. As a result, Jesus told them that the kingdom of God would be taken from them (Matthew 21:43). The religious elite would suffer his righteous indignation and God would pulverize them for their hardness of heart.
Today, we can be much like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. It is possible to become so comfortable and secure with our temporal positions and accomplishments that we fail to humble and submit to the mighty hand of God. What a costly deception! Fear, unbelief, doubt, self-interest, self-love, self-centeredness, self-preservation, rebellion and disobedience will cause us to resist yielding to God’s will.
The enemy will try to make us fearful of what we will have to encounter, endure and suffer. But remember, if we try to save our self-life, we will lose eternal life. We can fall on the ROCK, Jesus Christ and find comfort in knowing that absolutely everything we encounter in life is filtered through the hands of our loving Father. He knows exactly what is needed to release the treasure that is hidden in the earthen vessels. We do not have to fear brokenness, neither should we resist it. Rather, brokenness should be embraced and pursued.
We are exhorted to holiness, humility and brokenness. It is not wise to resist God’s dealings. Psalm 51:17 says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart.” Submit, yield and surrender to God’s authority. Ultimately, every ‘knee will bow and every tongue confess that he is Lord' (Romans 14:11). Fall on the solid rock, Jesus Christ, the Righteous. We determine how we come to our knees; either broken or crushed.