Tag: be encouraged

LIVING SACRIFICE

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

We bring money and place it in a plate as it is passed around at church; this is an offering. We give an offering out of our increase back to God.  We don’t then go later and take the money back. Yet we offer our lives to God as an offering. Then the first little rough patch, we take it back and try to run our lives ourselves. Only to be confused when it all falls apart.

The Bible says we are to present ourselves as a living sacrifice. It’s our offering to God that we say, “Here is the life that you gave me. I’ve given it back to you. I want to live to glorify you.” This is how we present our bodies as a living sacrifice. We surrender to go where he sends us.  This is one of the scariest things to say and really mean.  We are all human and giving complete control to someone else, even God, is scary.

Our flesh rises up and is afraid.  Often, we don’t want to pray, read our Bible or go where God wants because our flesh fights against God’s plan. We don’t want to leave our comfort zone. We need to fight our instinct to run. Changing our thinking will help us to surrender to God fully. It is not an easy process and not one to be taken lightly. God understands and is there to reassure us in our quest to surrender. We transform our minds by reading and studying the Word.

Romans 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

Staying in the word will help us to surrender our lives fully and completely.  There is an old song that sums up this process.  Learning to lean on Jesus.  It talks about how each day, we are learning to lean on Jesus.  As we grow as Christians, the process gets easier.

Gal 5:17  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

The more of His Spirit we have in us, the less control our flesh has over our choices. This is how we sacrifice for him. Because he paid the ultimate sacrifice for us. He can do so much with a little bit. Imagine if we could fully surrender and give our lives 100% to Him, holding back nothing. This should be the goal of each and every one of His children.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

A BIBLE STUDY

KEEPERS OF THE FLAME

A STUDY ABOUT CARRYING

THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

LLOYD DEMSEY II

This study was written by the late Lloyd Dempsey II, edited by his wife, Angela Dempsey

It is being published in memory of Lloyd and his love for the people of God. He wanted to encourage and enlighten someone every day. May this study lift you up and encourage you to carry the flame of God to show the lost a way out of darkness.

There is a tribe of people living like cavemen in the Amazon Jungle.  The most complex machine that they have is a long bow. They use this bow for hunting. These people have never developed a way to start their own fire. The only way to get fire is to collect it from a lightning strike.  Since fire is so hard for them to obtain, they consider it a “Gift of God.”

As Christian in the modern U.S. we take for granted the ease of making fire.  All we need is a match, a lighter or some other device. However, if we had to work at it, fire can be a hard thing to obtain. In this study we will examine the natural fire and relate it to the Holy Ghost Fire.

John said, Matt 3:11  I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 

Just as the little Amazon Indian sees natural fire as a gift from God, we as Christians receive Holy Fire from the true God. But what good is it? What do we do with this Gift of Fire?

To answer this question, we must look at how to use natural fire.  Fire gives us light and allows us to see what is around us in the dark. Whether or not there is a stumbling block or a clear path ahead, a brother or an enemy. It also helps us see the work we are doing.

If you have ever awoken to a power outage and had to bumble around in the dark, you can really appreciate the light of even a small candle.  It is amazing how a little fire can make a big difference.

How does this relate to Holy Fire?

2 Pet. 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 

2 Pet. 1:20  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 

2 Pet 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 

Jesus commanded us to let our light shine.

Matt 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 

Matt 5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 

Matt 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

Jesus told us that a little fire in the form of a candle is very important. The light from a city at that time was a collection of little fires.  When a little fire is held high, everyone benefits.

Often there are times when we sit on a pew, silent.  We think our little song or testimony isn’t good enough to be shared. Jesus wants us to share it anyway. This is how God is glorified and the lost won to the kingdom.

If a man wondering in the wilderness sees the collective light from a city. He knows he can find shelter.

Natural fire keeps us warm. It is said that a person standing in the wilderness, on a cold night can survive only three hours without the comfort of a fire for warmth.

Act 9:31  Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. 

Natural fire is used to cook or prepare food. Again, through the Holy Ghost food is given to us.

 Jer. 3:15  And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. 

Natural fire purifies for us precious things. The Holy fire purifies us to make us more precious to God.

I Peter 4:12-14   12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

As we have seen, natural fire is a wonderful useful thing. Spiritual or Holy Fire is an absolute necessity, and I haven’t even scratched the surface. Next, let us look at the maintenance of fire, after all if we are “keepers of the flame,” then we have a responsibility to see that fire is there when it is needed.

In the Amazon Indian’s world there is only two ways to get fire. One way is to collect wildfire from a lightening strike. (This is why they believe it is a gift of God). The other way is to get the “Keepers of the Flame,” to share with you the fire he has collected and nurtured from a previous strike. (The same Gift)

As Christians there is only two ways to get spiritual fire (Holy Ghost Fire) The first ways is to get fire directly from God.

Acts 2:1-4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The other way is for a Holy Ghost filled person to pass it on.

Acts 8:14-17  14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

As “Keepers of the Flame” we are given the responsibility of passing on the fire, nurturing the fire, and keeping a constant watch.  Just as the little Indian in the Amazon must carry a smoldering stick everywhere he goes, so we must carry our Holy Ghost Fire everywhere.

Mark 16:15-16 (15) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

The little Indian can be spotted anywhere, because of the smoke from his stick, everyone who sees him knows he has God’s Gift. They know that he is the one to go to when it is time to cook, get comforting warmth, or kindle the nights campfire; which keeps away the large jungle cats that constantly stalk the tribe in the darkness.

Mark 16:17-18 (17) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Some people believe that although we are commissioned to preach the gospel to the whole world.  The signs of those who believe was only for those living at the time of Christ. Both Joel and Acts tells us this is for everybody.

Joel 2:28-30 This is quoted in Acts 2:17-19

Acts 2:16-19 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

So if we have fire, there is going to be smoke; for just as smoke is evidence of fire in a stick. These signs are evidence of the Holy Ghost in a person. (Mark 16:17-18) (I must point out here that in Mark 16:18 the serpents here are symbolic of the devil and are taken up to be cast out. The deadly drink is representative of false doctrine.

Truly God gives his servants protection from an accidental poisoning. However, picking up snakes and drinking strychnine are foolishly tempting God. Therefore, it is a sin in itself.)

As I write this I must ask myself, is the Holy Ghost in me as evident as the natural fire is in the life of the little Amazon Indian’s life?

Do the people in my life know they can come to me when they need fed or comforted?

Can they see that I have God’s Gift, that can shine a light on their path or drive out the wild beast that hunt them in the spiritual darkness?

Have I let my fire go down or worse yet, have I let it go out completely?

I Tim 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

What can I do to keep the fire burning?

II Tim 1:6-7 6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Our flame is a tool for God to work in our lives; to provide for us, as well as those who surround us. So we must keep our flame stirred up with prayer, praise and the receiving of his word.  If we are diligent in these things, we can be assured that our flame will grow strong.

Sadly, despite all diligence the little Amazon Indian lives in a place where very few people preach the truth and probably is a pagan. Thank you Jesus, that you allowed me to be an American, where I can be a Christian and a “Keeper of your fire.”

If you are reading this today and have let your fire go down or go out completely. God wants to rekindle your flame right now. This study has not come to you by accident.  Much prayer has gone into its’ creation.

I believe that God will move upon you right now to increase your spiritual fire.  He will help you grow in wisdom, knowledge and truth.

Matt 18:12-14    12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

If you have never had fire, then the Lord Jesus Christ wants you to become a flame and light for him. Repent and get your sins under the blood of Christ.  Be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and pray for God to fill you with the Holy Ghost and you will receive fire.

Questions:

How can I receive God’s holy fire? ____________________________________________________________________________________

As a believer, how do I carry the fire to those that need light and the warmth of God’s love? ____________________________________________________________________________________

What do we do with the gift of fire?
____________________________________________________________________________________

How does holy fire compare to natural fire when it comes to purifying?

____________________________________________________________________________________

As believers we are given a great commission to spread the love of God to the world and share the holy fire with them.

The little Indian in our comparison can be spotted because of his smoke. What are some thing people will notice about us as believers that make us stand out?

____________________________________________________________________________________

OUR HIDING PLACE

Psalm 91:1-8  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.  5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.  7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.  8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

We, as Children of the most high God, can always depend on him to watch over us. The word dwell means to remain for a time.  God wants us to remain for a time with him. He wants us to spend time with him.  Dwell also can mean to live as a resident.  God wants us to reside with him.  He is our Father, and He loves us.

He is our refuge, a hiding place from the attacks of the enemy.  He will shelter us under the shadow of His wings.  Like a mother bird hides her babies under her wing to protect them from the elements and attack of predators, God hides us from evil attacks.

If we remain close to him, he will deliver us from any plan the enemy has to destroy us. He is our shield. We have nothing to fear, no matter what the news says every day.  God is going to take care of His children. Look all down through history at examples; God saved Noah and his family.  They were locked away into the ark of safety long before it started raining.

The children of Israel were safe from all the plagues God unleashed in Egypt. Nothing was close to hurting the children of Israel. What God used to deliver the Children of Israel from the enemy, he used to destroy the Egyptians. He took the plans of the enemy and destroyed them. At the same time, he blessed his people.

In the book of Esther, God used one girl to save His people.  Haman her enemy, made a gallows for Mordecai, Esther’s relative.  God turned around the situation and Haman and his sons hung on the gallows he made for Mordecai. God will always protect his people.

These are just three examples; the word of God is full of amazing stories of deliverance. There is a certain security in knowing the Lord. Do not fear the things that are happening in our world today. God will turn it around also, in His timing and leave a blessing for his chosen ones.

Verse nine says 9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; David says because we make the Lord our dwelling place, we will see the reward of the wicked.  It will not be pretty what God will do to our enemies.

Eph 2:18-22  18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.  19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;   21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Verse 18 is talking about Jesus. Through his sacrifice on the cross, we have access by the Holy Ghost to the Father. We are no longer strangers; we become God’s children. We become a dwelling place for God. Together with other believers, we become a habitation for God through the Holy Ghost.

We abide in Him, we dwell with Him, we become His habitation. One verse refers to us as the temple of God. He is our hiding place. Do not let the things in this life become bigger in your sight than God.  Do not allow fear of what the enemy is trying to do, cause you to lose sight of Jesus.  Sometimes it is a walk by faith and not by sight kind of moment.  But if we can learn to press through and keep our God focus, we will find his peace under the shadow of his wings.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

ONE FLOWER

I was sitting in the drive-thru line at my bank the other day.  As I waited for the teller to cash my check, I looked around at all the pretty flowers. They always do such a good job with the landscaping.  Then I noticed a bright yellow flower all alone. It was almost behind the dumpster, against the fence on top of a pile of gravel.  From the location of the flower, it grew there on its own.  I don’t know if it was from a seed of one that had been discarded and missed the dumpster.  I don’t know if a bird dropped it.  But it was still there with its face to the sun saying, ‘Hey world, here I am; I am not supposed to be here, but I fought hard to grow through the rough spots.’ That one flower defied the odds and grew where it wasn’t supposed to grow.

How many times do we face things that try to define our purpose for us? Are we going to allow our circumstances to define us? Are we going to boldly stand with our faces to God and say, ‘Hey world, here I am, I am not supposed to be here, the enemy tried to take me out, but God had other plans.’

I have fought through adversity to grow into the person that I am; satan doesn’t define me. I may not be planted where some feel I should be, but I am where God wants me. I want to be like the one lone flower and keep growing even if it is not easy. Sometimes it’s easier to stand out when we are not surrounded by other flowers. Bloom where God plants you and be bold. Sometimes we are called to be set apart from the crowd to let our light shine.

God will sometimes remove people from our lives. Others he will make unavailable because he wants us to lean on him. We need to come apart and be with him. He wants us to sit quietly and listen to him. We can grow spiritually through adversity. The hard things make us stronger and more determined. If our roots go deep enough, we can grow even when we are in rocky places. I want to be a determined individual, determined to keep my face toward God and bloom where He plants me.

 Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

JOY AND HAPPINESS

Phil 4:8-9   Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.   9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

We often tell our friends that we only wish for them to be happy.  But actually, we should wish for them to be joyful instead.  Happiness depends on outside factors. If we have the right romantic relationship, if we have the right job, if we have material things that make us comfortable. All these things affect our happiness.

Joy is something we carry on the inside.  It is a sense of contentment or peace.  It does not dependent on material things, friends, family or the right romantic partner. Joy is a state of being that comes from God.  If we are His people, he will give us joy.  Inner joy can help us to let our light shine in difficulties. Adversity can affect our happiness.  It doesn’t affect our joy.

We can have our backs against the wall and feel like we have no escape from the things that come against us in life. These things can steal our sense of happiness, but they cannot steal our joy, as long as we look to Jesus to help us overcome our fiery trials.

Happiness is about pleasing ourselves, while joy comes when we please others.  Being content is a choice that we will not allow the enemy to make us feel down if we don’t have the material things, we wish we had in our possession. God will provide all we need.  If we have what we need today, tomorrow will take care of itself. When it arrives, we will again evaluate if we have all we need.

Phil 4:10-12 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.   11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

We may face rough times, but learning to be content is a way to allow the Holy Ghost to take control of our lives.  He will lead us exactly where we need to be and will provide what we need. If we can learn to be content, we will be a greater light to the world.

Joy is a fruit of the spirit and comes from the Lord. The longer we walk on this Christian journey the more our fruit should grow. We should walk in Love as well as Joy, letting our light shine before the world.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

PRESSED

Isaiah 53:5 -But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Often, we use this verse as one that encourages people to know that our God is a healer of our bodies and emotions.  But he also was bruised and beaten for our spiritual healing. If He had not gone to the cross we would not have any right to salvation. I want to focus on the bruised portion of this verse.

Olive oil is often used for anointing oil. It is an earthly representation of God’s anointing or the Holy Ghost. In order to understand the oil of anointing (Holy Ghost) in our lives as Christians, we need to understand how olive oil is pressed.

The fruit is washed and then put into a press where the fruit is pressed and crushed.  There are different presses and processes.  But the oil is squeezed out of the flesh of the fruit. Jesus was beaten and bruised in order that we could receive healing spiritually, physically and emotionally. 

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

The oil of the anointing of God is placed within us as believers.  When we are born of the Spirit (Holy Ghost) we have that anointing within us.  It is what sustains us and gives us the power to walk out our witness.  As we grow from level to level we must walk through some trials. The things we face will press in and squeeze our flesh, it will bruise and crush us. Every trial takes us to a new level of anointing.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

We don’t have to literally hang on a cross, but we must constantly sacrifice (crucify) the desires of our flesh.  As we do this, we release what God has placed within us as his anointing. We will walk through tough times and things that we will not know if we can get through process and pain. But with every pressing, God’s oil will help us grow in Him. 

2 Cor 3:20-18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

With every new level, we will walk more like Jesus and less like us. With every new level, there is a new devil.  The enemy will fight because he knows if we truly get a hold of who we are in Christ, there will be no stopping us.  With every new attack, we need to press into Jesus.  Knowing that He is always with us and will not leave us to fight alone.

Within ourselves, we do not stand a chance against satan.  That is why the world is so dark and evil right now.  But being blood-bought, Holy Ghost-filled children of the Most High God and King, the enemy is under our feet. He will not defeat us, as long as we walk in the power and anointing that has been given us by Jesus Christ.

NO COMPLAINTS

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, but expecting a different result. I often feel stuck in a situation that is total insanity.  But God has told me to stay for now.  When it comes to some situations it is to teach us something. Other times it is to let our light shine.

The Children of Israel kept going around the same mountain.  They wandered for years in the desert.  God was trying to teach them who He was and who He wanted them to become. They didn’t learn either lesson instead they complained and complained.

Philippians 2:14  Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

I try to keep a good attitude, but sometimes life piles so much on me that I find myself being like the Children of Israel.  I admit I turn to complaining.  Then I come across Philippians 2:14 and that verse steps on my toes.

God is faithful to forgive me when I am ungrateful.  I was sent a video this morning that made me think about complaining. It is the opposite of being grateful and thankful. The video said, what if you woke this morning with only what you thanked God for yesterday. It is something to think about. God wants us to have an attitude of gratitude. How do I know? Because His word says so. I Thes 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

in everything… in everything. It is hard to give thanks when you are not in a good situation. It is easier for our flesh to complain.  Learning to overcome our fleshly instincts is part of walking out our faith. Sometimes we get so frustrated that all we can do is cry.  God understands our tears, he knows our heartache.  He is faithful to pick us up if we just trust him.  All things work out for our good, because God’s got us.

I often think about the old song, “Til the storm passes by” One line says, “hold me fast let me stand, in the hollow of your hand.”  I can see His great big hand and little me sitting deep in the hollow of His hand. Fully protected from all the storms that try to overtake me.  The God of the universe, who is so BIG cares about me and you.  He cares about our heartaches and our fears.  He is faithful to carry us when things get rough. 

God has promised, he will never leave us or forsake us.  With a promise like that, we have no reason to complain.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

OUR DELIVERER

In the book of Exodus God sent Moses to set his people free. All the plagues that God sent were in defiance of the gods of Egypt.  Someday I will go through each one and explain in detail. Right now, I want to focus on the next to last plague. The plague of darkness.

Exodus 10:20-29   (20) But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go. 21 And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.   22 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:  23 They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.  24 And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the Lord; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you. 25 And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the Lord our God.  26 Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the Lord our God; and we know not with what we must serve the Lord, until we come thither. 27 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go. 28 And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die. 29 And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.

God caused the enemy to be in darkness so that one didn’t see or know what the other was doing. The darkness was so thick that they didn’t even leave their homes. By creating darkness over them Our God was saying your sun god, Ra, has no power.

Meanwhile, in the land of Goshen, where the Israelites dwelled had plenty of light. This was a sign to them too.  They had been raised in bondage, they knew as much or more about the gods of Egypt as they did their own God. He was preparing them to learn about Him and His power.

I often wondered why God hardened Pharoah’s heart.  It was so that God could prove to the Israelites who He was and to set up the enemy for their destruction. God will only allow people to go so far with their evil before he puts a stop to it. Egypt had enslaved God’s people, killed their children and worked them until they died, building monuments to the greatness of Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt. God allowed it to go on for a season. Then he stepped in and made a way for his people to be free.

If Pharoah would have let them go after the first or second plague the story would have been different. The people would not have seen their enemy destroyed before their eyes. Also, the Children of Israel left Egypt with great wealth.  If Pharoah had let them go after a plague or two they would not have left with the wealth. When they first entered Egypt they had great wealth, but they were slowly taxed out of it all until they were plunged into slavery.  God hardened Pharoah’s heart in order to restore to his people what the enemy had stolen from them.

When the final plague hit and Pharoah’s son died, his anger burned hot, and he decided to chase down and destroy the Israelites.  That final plague was retribution for all the children that Pharoah had murdered of the Israelites. This was the point of the story that God completely set free, his people. There was no one left to pursue them after God closed the Red Sea on the Egyptian Army.

Things in this life will often look dark, but we need to remember that Jesus is the light.  As his children, we are the light to shine in the darkness of this world.  The enemy will make things seem really dark and scary. God will not allow us to suffer in darkness.  He is there even when it looks bad. Every plague that hit Egypt never touched God’s people.

It is up to us to let our light shine and help pull the lost out of the darkness of this world.  We can trust God to take care of us even in the darkest of times.  Read the Bible, not once did He ever let down, leave or forsake His people.  

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

TRUE OR FALSE

When I was growing up, we took tests in school called true or false. We were given a statement and had to decide if it was true.

Times have changed, our society has gone mad. They are saying whatever you believe is “true for you”. You can be a boy but believe you are girl and that makes it so. You can believe you are a cat and that is “your truth”.  It is all lies from satan. There are only two answers to every fact it is true or it is false.  It doesn’t matter if we believe the facts to be the opposite.  Our opinions don’t change the truth. Just like the Bible; it will not change to please us.  It is truth, it doesn’t matter if we choose to believe it or not.  It will still be true.

Some synonyms for truth are honest, sincere, accurate or correct. Apply these to the statements above. There is no way that a boy can be a girl. They have lost touch with reality. It doesn’t matter what lying spirit, straight from the pit of hell is whispering in his ear.  It doesn’t matter what he feels, truth is not a feeling it is a fact.

We are to walk in truth.  This means we cannot allow ourselves to be lied to by the enemy. He tries to define us, but we need to tell him who we are, not the other way around. If we do not put on the full armor of God as protection against the enemy, we can fall prey to his lies. He loves to use fear, depression, anxiety and rejection to keep people from believing in God.

II Tim. 2:15 — Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

This verse tells us that the word of God is the word of truth. Because God is not a man that he could lie. His word is life to our soul and a light to our path.  We can always count on it to be true. As Christians, we need to stand for the truth.

John 8:31-32 – 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;   32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

How do we get free from lies? We need to get the word of truth inside of us. Then we will spot the lies every time the enemy tries to spread false statements. The truth of God brings freedom.  Learning of the truth of God’s love brings salvation to our souls.  Then the Love that he gives us helps us to show the truth to others. God is the embodiment of truth. Everything about him is honest, sinless, pure and truthful.

The enemy is the opposite in every way. He is the father of lies. The devil will do everything in his power to destroy the truth. If he can plant a little doubt in our minds, he has the toe hold needed to keep lying to us. I chose to believe the word of God.

BE BOLD, BE BRAVE AND KEEP YOUR GOD FOCUS

BURN THE SHIPS

The church needs to be like the people that came from Europe to the new world. When they arrived they unassembled their boats and used the wood for building or they burned their ships. In other words, we are here, no matter what happens we are not turning back. They knew they had nothing to go back to in Europe. Eliminating all other options but to go forward.

When we are delivered from sin we need to burn the ships. There is nothing in our old life to go back to, we are made new in Christ. He has given us a new life. The enemy will try to tell us that the new world before us is scary. He will try to work on our self-identity. Questioning us if we can actually be a Christian. If we let him talk to us too long we would be on the ship ready to return to a place we escaped from; our old life. If that life was so great, why did we want to escape it?

Satan will try to paint a pretty picture. He will make things look like they are good. When in reality they are anything but good. We need to tell him we have a new name, we are no longer defeated, no longer a slave, no longer without a father, but we have been adopted by the KING OF KINGS and the LORD OF LORDS. We have an identity, we are a new creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

With our new life comes a responsibility to be a light to those around us. Many that knew us before we became born again of God’s Spirit will know we are different. But what about the person that meets us for the first time as this new creation. They should still know there is something different about us. God’s love and light need to shine upon us and out of us.

We are living in dangerous times. If we watch the news fear can grip us quickly. Things will look bad. I am sick of these prosperity preachers telling you that life is a bed of roses if you follow Christ. He will give you material things and you will be wealthy by man’s standards. When my bible says you will know they are my disciples because they have love one to another. Not because they own 50 pairs of alligator shoes or own twenty houses and have a large bank account.

It’s time to grow up Church; leave behind materialism and things the flesh desires. God never promised that the road would be easy. Look at our examples in his word. These people faced hard things; scary things. But not once did God leave them to struggle alone and He made a way of escape for each of them. He promised to never leave us to fight our battles alone. He said things would look scary, but do not fear for He is there to see us through.

It’s time to burn the ships. Put aside childish things and grow up. There is a great big world out there full of lost people. We sit in our churches each week and want to hear how God is going to bless us and give us things that are going to burn up. The only things that are going to last are the things we do for the kingdom of God. Reaching the lost.

It is time for us to burn the ships, don’t look back, go forth and take back what God has given us that the enemy has stolen. We have an amazing opportunity to be the light this world needs. But we cannot be that light if we are weighed down by the cares and fears of this life. We have nothing to fear, GOD IS with us.

Heb 12:1-2 (1) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2)Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

If we could just keep the zeal we have when we are first saved. We are excited about our life in Christ. We feel like we can take on the world. Then we go through a few hard spots and that excitement is gone. The only way we can be renewed is by asking God for that renewal. We need to build up our faith through prayer. Our inward man is renewed day by day. THe prayers I prayed yesterday carried me through yesterday. But to renew my strength, I need to talk to God today, to get through today. We do not know what is facing us in the next 24 hours. But if we are prayer warriors we can be ready for whatever comes our way.

Galatians 6:9-10  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

We will reap a harvest of souls if we faint not. If we don’t give up and go back. If we don’t sit down and get comfortable in a routine or in feel-good doctrine. We will reap if we burn the ships and not look back but keep looking up to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.