Category Archives: Deep Thoughts

Believers have been transformed by the saving faith in Jesus Christ and indwelled by the Holy Spirit.  This gives us the new nature of righteousness, however, we still possess the old nature which can rule over our flesh.  So it is necessary that we battle against the flesh by relying on the Holy Spirit of God in connection with Scripture, prayer, and obedience to Christ.

Because the flesh lusts against the Spirit (and the Spirit lusts against the flesh) we are in spiritual warfare every moment of our lives.  When we fail to stay focused on Christ we can be distracted and/or deceived by the flesh.  The longer we remain distracted we more insensitive we become toward sin and begin a downward spiral spiritually.  So we must regularly examine ourselves to make sure our walk with Christ is genuine and sincere.  John (in 1 John 1:9 – 2:29) gives us characteristic of believers which reveals our spiritual sincerity:

1 – If we have fellowship with him by walking in the light (righteousness of God )rather than walking in the darkness (sinful ways of the flesh and the world).
2  – If we confess our sin.
3 – If we keep his commandments (Check the Sermon of the Mount – Mat 5-7 and  John 14 – 16.
4 – If we walk as he (Jesus) walked.
5 – If we love the brethren (the other believers)
6 – If we love the things of God rather than the things of the world.  See Titus:1:16
7 – If we continue in truth of God’s Word rather than abandon it for the false message(s) of the world.
8 – If we profess Christ before men rather than deny him before men
9 – If we abide in him and his Word
10 – If we live righteously because we know he is righteousness.

Insensitivity toward sin is a sign of carnality (backsliding) or possibly being unregenerate (unsaved).

If we can walk in the counsel of the ungodly, stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of the scornful – we are becoming insensitive to sin and eventually will end up in the company of the unrighteousness. (Psalm 1)

Sensitivity toward the things of God reveals the spiritual foundation of our hearts.  If we love the Word of God (the saved do), meditate on it day and night (the saved do), and keep his commandments (the saved do) then we will confess sin, repent from sin, and fight to resist the temptation to sin.

Anyone that tells you different is a deceiver.

WHAT IS YOUR SOURCE OF INSPIRATION? I’m amazed by believers who find it appealing or even necessary to draw their inspiration from sources which historically contradict faith in God. Note what I wrote, believers drawing inspiration from sources which historically contradict faith in God. I’m referring to other religions (those inherently false or teach false doctrine), cults, known pagans, culturally secular examples and those who promote the denial God, Christ, Salvation, and eternal life. I’ve read articles meant to inspire which, (in my opinion), promote arrogance, divisiveness, elitism, and pride. These seem contrary when the intent is to elicit compassion, integrity, and justice. That’s not to say we aren’t motivated by the good, the negative or the tragic events or people in society.  It means we should be inspired to act and promote what is Biblically ethical and appropriate in response to these events or people.  You draw your inspiration from what influences you most. You are most influenced by what appeals to your nature. The nature you nourish will flourish and the nature you deny will diminish.

Believers are supposed to possess motives, standards, and practices which”reprove the unfruitful works

of darkness. We are called to draw strength from his Word. We are directed to meditate on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, with a good reputation, virtue, and praiseworthiness. Why must we push the unbiblical mongrel philosophies of a fallen and wicked culture to find spiritual inspiration? Even when we’re suffering we’re never admonished to dwell in the thought patterns of negativity but in the sustaining power of our gracious God.

I ask the question, doesn’t God, his Word, his Son, and his Spirit provide inspiration? Doesn’t his creative wonder in connection with his holy and righteous nature provide us with inspiration? Don’t the examples of godly men and women throughout biblical history and contemporary society provide us with inspiration?

If God faithful, his grace is sufficient, and his mercy endureth forever, I think we possess enough evidence and examples from which to draw our spiritual inspiration.

Galatians 5 shows us the fruit of the Spirit are consistent God’s nature and expectation for his people. Jesus and James both tell us that a good tree and a fountain cannot produce what is contrary to their nature. Something needs to be examined and corrected.

The next time you’re looking to inspire or be inspired consider 2 Tim 3:16-17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in

December 28, 2015

Coming to Christ “as you are” is not a cultural movement, it’s not a statement of individuality or uniqueness, and it’s not an affirmation of your personality. It’s a change in your way of thinking. It’s a way of thinking that rejects the worldly system of thinking and living. It’s thinking about and listening to what God has to say to you.

• 1 John 2:15 (KJV) 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

When you “come as you are” to Christ it’s an act of confession. It’s a confession that you are a sinner and you cannot clean yourself or remake yourself in order to be worthy to approach and have a relationship with God. It’s a confession that you need someone to cleanse you and make you able to approach God. When you “come as you are” to Christ you come without a mask, or an act, or a condition. “When you “come as you are” you come in humble belief in the risen savior whose precious Calvary-shed blood washes your sins away. As you are washed you are given the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to comfort, teach, guide, and cleanse you daily. When you “come as you are” to Christ don’t expect to remain the way you came. You will have to abandon and renounce your old way of thinking. You will have to leave it all behind. You will do it because you’ve come to receive the blood-bought gift of forgiveness of sins and eternal life. You’ve come to be transformed. You’ve come to grow in grace and knowledge of Christ. You’ve come to grow in faith, discipleship, obedience, and service to Christ.

• 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (KJV) 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. · 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

You must “come as you are” to Christ in order to receive his gift. But, if any of you think “come as you are” means to come to be affirmed in your fashion or style of dressing, singing, ethnicity, sexuality, or thinking – – – – – –

COME AGAIN! Only this time, come to be redeemed, reborn, remade and revived by Christ. This time come to be a disciple and follower of Christ, a lover of God, a part of his Church. Come to a Holy, Sovereign, and Righteous Lord whose love for you was demonstrated on Calvary and will be shared with you for all eternity – when you come to him on his terms, through his son, by his blood, filled with his spirit.

• Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV) 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Christ inviting you, allowing you to “come as you are” is his grace and compassion to you. It elevates you of the trouble of trying to fix yourself or impress him with your efforts. It’s his way of saying, “I know you can’t do this on your own”. It’s his way of saying, “I’ve got you and I’ve got this”.

Come as you are. Come whether broken, bruised, or belittled.

Come regardless of your past or present life.

Come great or small. Come regardless of age or experience.

Come to Hear. Come Learn. Come to Believe. Come to Abiding Faith

Many people see power as a positive attribute possessed by someone with charisma, great wealth or influence.  Yet power – real power is about the transformation of a person’s life.  Satan has power.  He can imitate and impersonate an angel of light because he used to be one and remembers how to do it.  He deceives people by pretending to be an angel of light but in reality, he is a minister of evil and darkness.  How can you know?  Because his power can only pretend to be what God really is.  In the end, he cannot create or transform anything or anyone.  Satan can only destroy and diminish, and then only as God allows him to do.

People, like all sheep, can be persuaded by the loudest voice, the most attractive face, or the biggest pocketbook.  But when the charisma has faded and celebrity is old an emptiness remains.  Why because it was not creative or transformative power it was only an attraction to what appeared or sounded good.

People say things like, “He/She is a really powerful Christian”, or “That was a powerful word”, etc.  Yet if the person fails to demonstrate a transformed life created in Christ, or if the words do not inspire you to be transformed by the renewing of your mind – what kind of power are you talking about.

Paul tells of the day will come when people will no longer endure sound doctrine, but instead, they will run after anything that tingles their ear with the sound of “hey there’s something new over here”.    The sad thing is eventually you’ll get worn out from all that chasing but never benefit from what you heard because you didn’t settle in long enough for it to change your life.

2 Tim 3 says, “1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Real power changes your character, motives, and behavior.  Last time I checked only a saving encounter with Jesus Christ can do that.

Be wary of people always talking about power but don’t show some sign.  Reject the counsel of those who would seek to be leaders or influential yet provide no genuine spiritual maturity and behavior.  They are false prophets (claiming to speak for God but deny him in works), clouds without water, (bringing no spiritual refreshing on their own)  whited sepulcher (tombs – places for the dead that are clean on the outside but have no life in them).

How can you tell the difference?  Simple, first test what they say by the Word of God and whether or not they agree with God (Let God be true but every man a liar).  Second, check their fruit to see if it is spiritual fruit from the Holy Spirit or earthly/worldly fruit of the flesh.  And finally, try everything by the Holy Spirit – He never fails.

Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech ye therefore brethren, by the mercies of God that you present yourselves a living sacrifice holy and acceptable unto God for such is your reasonable service.  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”

Christ is the author of the genuine life-changing power.  The Holy Spirit is the power link to Christ.  The Word of God is the instruction manual.  The people of God are to demonstrate this power through faith, obedience, devotion, and service to the Lord.

If you want to see real power, look beyond the words, look at what matters.  Look for the transforming work of Christ.  That’s the real power.

Romans 9:22-24 (KJV) ²² What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: ²³ And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, ²⁴ Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

God has declared the wages of sin is death but his free gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ is available to those who will repent of Sin, believe and confess the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, and follow him.  The Lord wants to spend eternity in heavenly bliss and fellowship with those he saves.  But the unbelieving and unrepentant serve a purpose as well.  They will be his example to believers (and unbelivers who die without Christ as their savior) of just how patient and merciful he is by giving them their entire lives to respond to his grace and mercy.  God’s wants all to come to repentance but the sad fact is that many will reject Christ and be eternally condemned.  To show his mercy on the unbelieving and unrepentant the Lord continues to send the message of love and salvation through his son daily.  It can be heard in preaching, read in the Bible, seen in faithful believers, and witnessed in nature.  To the believer these are all wonders of God of which we are thankful.  But those who do not, and will not, believe hold the works of God in contempt.

John 3: 17-21, ESV  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has notbelieved in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light,lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

Romans 10:21 (ESV) ²¹ But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

But God’s going to continue to reveal his message  and offer his salvation until the end.  When that happens the ledgers will be opened and all accounts will be finalized.  All rewards will be dispensed.  Those who have rejected the grace and mercy of God will never have the chance to change their minds.

Romans 10:21 (ESV) ²¹ But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

2 Peter 3:9-10 (KJV) ⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. ¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Romans 3:23-26 (KJV) ²³ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ²⁴Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: ²⁵ Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; ²⁶ To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Gal 6:7-8 (KJV)

“I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH  CHRIST THAT STRENGTHENS ME”, PHIL 4:13

This verse is part of a letter where Apostle Paul encourages and reinforces the faith of a group of poor saints.  In his delivery, he testifies that he has learned how to be content in whatever condition he finds himself.  He knows the highs, lows, and in-betweens of life.  He has faced want and abundance with the same fortitude that comes from the Holy Spirit.

Almost two thousand years later Satan has deceived believers and unbelievers with a lie about Paul’s statement.  The lie is that you can do whatever you put your mind to and Christ will help you.  The lie is that you can live any way you want and when you need a little help just call on God and he will help you through it.

Christ is not in the business of promoting sin.  He is not in the habit of assisting the unrighteous and disobedient bent on rejecting his Lordship and Salvation.  Carnal/worldly Christians (usually false believers aka unsaved) fornicate, use drugs, lie, and steal then try to sprinkle they’re conscious with a few mis-used scriptures or come to a church service for emotional release.  What a waste.  Remember Simon the sorcerer in Acts.  Before meeting Philip he spent his time practicing sorcery and bewitching people.  When the gospel was preached Simon found religion but he didn’t find Christ.  When the Holy Spirit was received and characteristic signs and wonders were witnessed Simon tried to purchase the ability of the Holy Spirit.  Simon was immediately rebuked for his carnal and wicked heart.  All he wanted was to be in the center of the excitement.   Sadly, people who falsely profess Christ are only looking for a cheap imitation of the true fellowship Christ has to offer.  They look for emotional satisfaction without a spiritual connection.  They look for human rhetoric and religious interaction to invoke a sense of Godliness in their lives worldly lives.

This placebo religiosity breeds a weak and beggarly forgery of real Christianity.  Shout, get happy, talk about being too blessed to be depressed, or being blessed and highly favored and folks think you’re really a child of God.  But go through trouble in your life, get abused or mistreated and suddenly we transform from a child of light to a minion of darkness.  We can’t curse enough, gossip enough, and seek revenge enough.  We’re ready to call down fire from the sky to bring “righteous indignation” against heathen vermin.  We have no problem being mean, hateful, and bitter about our problems or mistreatment but prayer, forgiveness, and trusting God through our troubles – we’ll deal with that later.  Fruit of The Spirit – that for old folks and preachers.  Patience and long-suffering that’s for the other folks, I’m more than a conqueror.  All this hypocrisy is spiritually unhealthy and self-serving.

When Paul spoke of doing “all things through Christ” he was referring to the supernatural ability to be used for the purposes of God consistent with His will.  He was talking about depending on the Holy Spirit (fueled by a healthy knowledge of God’s Word) to rise above the petty, immoral, and selfish desires of the flesh that defile a man.  He was talking about the ability to love agape style, to serve humbly, and to give generously without seeking acknowledgment or reward.  He was talking about denying the flesh of sensual and sinful experiences in order to be transformed by the renewing of your mind so you can prove the good, perfect, and acceptable will of God in your life.  He was talking about not letting circumstances define your relationship with God.  That’s why in Romans he said, “I’ll let nothing separate me from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”.

You can only do through Christ what Christ wants to do through you.  You can only be empowered with the supernatural ability for divine service and divine suffering.  If you aren’t looking to be used for divine purpose then don’t expect to call on the divine one to assist you.  If you, in spite of your lack of ability to see the future, are willing to let God place you on his potter’s wheels and mold you into a vessel for his honor and glory, then you will be able to “do all things through Christ who strengthens you.