Abiding Faith: “Lord today I choose to be faithful. Today I choose your righteousness. Lord, today, inspite of the process you choose to use, I choose to submit to your process. I know, just like going to the dentist’s office – “this may sting a little”. But Lord, I know I’m in the best hands – your hands. Your will be done. Thank you for loving me. I love you Lord. Amen
Category Archives: Kingdom Thoughts
Cold Ritual or Real Religion?
Abiding Faith: When does religious ritual become spiritual idolatry: When it does not produce faith and obedience to Christ in our lives. When we vainly continue a religious practice despite having no desire or longing to fulfill the will of our Lord and Savior. Worship becomes cold and empty when we worship the practice of religion and not the author of religion. The cure comes from repentance. Ask forgiveness for being pious and not personally devoted to Christ. Seek the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness. Ask God for a clean heart and to renew a right spirit in you. Ask him to restore the joy of your salvation. Seek the treasures of Heaven so the Holy Spirit can allow the rewards of righteousness will restore your life to one of energetic – vibrant relationship and worship of Christ.
Faith or Fake?
Abiding Faith: Faith is a spiritual gift of God. It is not positive thinking, it is a positive positioning of the heart created through the Spiritual Conversion by the Holy Spirit. It is not sincere or good intentions, it is the response of surrender and submission to the compelling holiness of God. Faith that does not provoke the heart to godly obedience is not faith, it’s just FAKE.
Practice Purity.
Abiding Faith: We are called to the purity of speech and behavior because we are commissioned to live for and speak about a pure and Holy God. Our speech is to be seasoned with Grace so we can know how to answer every man and give an account of the hope that lies within us. Evil communications corrupt good manners. Either the fountain flows with bitter water or with sweet water. We should desire to let what is sweet and praiseworthy of God continually be in our mouths.
Discipleship and Steward are Linked Together for the Believer.
Abiding Faith: Jesus Christ said in order to be one of His disciples a man must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Him. Once a man becomes a follower, Christ makes him a disciple. A disciple of Christ is one who is saved by and in submission to Christ’s Lordship and is a learner of His teaching. After Christ makes one a disciple He gives them a small amount of responsibility or stewardship. A steward is one who has been assigned a level of responsibility for the Master’s property – while being held accountable by the Master. Once a disciple has been proven to be a faithful and obedient steward over small things, Christ makes him a steward over more things. It is a great blessing for God to assign one of His disciples greater responsibility. It is blinding ignorance and biblical blasphemy to think that a person can be a steward of The Lord’s house, people, or ministry who is not and/or refuses to be a disciple of Christ. The bottom line – To be a good leader you must first be a good follower. To be a steward you must first be a disciple. YOU CAN’T BE A STEWARD IF YOU WON’T BE A DISCIPLE. YOU CAN’T LEAD IF YOU WON’T FOLLOW.
The Genuine Church Has a Genuine Purpose Assigned by Christ.
Abiding Faith: So many churches have lost their way by abandoning the genuine purpose of the church on earth. The Lord created the church for himself, but he created it for us too. I pray you find (if you haven’t already), a Bible-believing, Holy Spirit filled, brother/sister loving church to attend. If you haven’t, there’s Abiding Faith.
Unity Through Humility
Abiding Faith: The key to unity is not based on equality, it is based on submission. When we recognize and submit to a common authority then true unity can be attained. With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Jesus told us that the greatest among his disciples would be the servant to all. The Beatitudes shows the examples of service and submission as the driving force of Kingdom-minded saints. It may not be popular, but, we are to have the same mind as Christ. His mind was and is to serve. Even in his authority he came to speak and do only those things that pleased his father. If you want unity in the body of Christ, the local church, and your home, remember that the servant is not above his master. He served and so should we.
THE BELIEVER’S RESPONSE TO THE EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN THIS COUNTRY
Colossians 4:5-6 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
The horrific violence we’re witnessing in this country is provoking anger. The stories are diverse but the results are all too similar, people are being killed. An ‘us vs them’ polarization has taken hold of the country which is increasing social animosity. Lives are shattered, hearts are hardening, walls are growing, and doors are closing. Citizens are upset and demanding equity, justice, or even revenge.
But as believers Scripture tells us:
- Be slow to speak, swift to hear and slow to wrath.
- The wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
- Not to allow our anger to lead us to commit sinful actions.
- Cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you.
- Not to be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
- Vengeance belongs to the Lord.
Being a believer doesn’t mean we’ll solve, resolve, or stop all the wrongs in society. Nor will the justice system nullify the pain felt by the victims, their families, and the communities bloodied by these violent actions. However, as Kingdom citizens we are called to walk in the Spirit, in faith, and in wisdom. We are called to show what it looks like to live surrendered to Christ in the face of such violence. Our faith in God and our spiritual maturity demands we do this.
As believers, our response should be to model Christ before a fallen world. Grace and mercy should be the foundation of our advocacy and compassion. This is an excellent time to respond privately in prayer and publicly by sharing Gospel and promoting the Kingdom Agenda. Pray to the Lord about these troubled times we’re living in. Pray for survivors, their families, and the communities traumatized by this violence. Spread the Gospel of Christ, His atoning work on Calvary for the sin of all mankind. Pray for wisdom and guidance. Seek to respond in a Christ-like manner. Belief in Christ and repentance from the world’s system are the banners under which we should think, communicate, and live our lives in the evil times. The next person you minister to may prevent the next intended (or unintended) act of violence.
Now is the time to let our light shine so men will see our good works and glorify our Heavenly Father.
YOUR SPIRITUAL SENSITIVITY (OR INSENSITIVITY) TOWARD SIN TELLS REVEALS YOUR INTEGRITY.
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.
THE NATURE YOU NOURISH WILL FLOURISH – THE NATURE YOU DENY WILL DIMINISH.
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