Mt 6:8...............your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
Ps 34:10............those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
Ps 24:1..............The earth is the Lord's, and all it's fullness,...
Ps 50:10............every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.
Gen 18:14..........Is anything to hard for the Lord?
Mt 7:7................Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Rom 8:32...........He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall he not with Him also freely give us all things?
Ps 37:5.............Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.
Luke 6:38..........Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.
Eph 3:20...........(God) is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us...
Phil 4:19............And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
2Pet 1:3............His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him...
Jer 32:27...........Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything to hard for Me?
Mt 11:28...........Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Heb 13:5...........For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Phil 4:6.............Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let you requests be made known to God; ...
Ps. 20:4..........may He grant you according to your hearts desire, and fulfill all of your purpose.
Eph 1:3............Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ
Romans 8
Life Through the Spirit
1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature,[b] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.[c] And so he condemned sin in sinful man,[d] 4in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
5Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6The mind of sinful man[e] is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7the sinful mind[f] is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.8Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
9You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.[g]And by him we cry, "Abba,[h] Father." 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21that[i] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[j]who[k] have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."[l] 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[m] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Dear God,
How many times have you find yourself on the other side of someone trying to sell you something or to join this "pyramid" scheme and that they say, "you too, can make a lot of money..." Sometimes you find yourself politely saying, "no, thank you," or "that is not for me..." but rarely do we catch ourself ever saying to that person, whether a shady salesman or a "friend' who is trying to lure you into the same trap that they are already stuck in and that the only way they can make money is by getting people lower on the pyramid besides themself; what you would like to say to them is this, "so you are selling this, but you really don't believe this. You sound good and you know the product that you are trying to get me to take ownership in, but you really don't believe it..." Wouldn't that be nice to be able to really just unload that onto that "friend or salesman" if you had the courage. Let's take it another way, let's take this "Salesman act to our Christian Walks. When we go out into the world and try to disciple others, are we guilty of the pyramid scheme. Are we trying to sell something that are actions or behavior would not justify. Let's take a look at Galations Chapter 5: 16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
So here is the bottom line: How can we expect to be the salt and light of the world if we are not allowing ourselves to edify the Spirit which lives in both you and I. If we are truly sons of God through the inheritance of Jesus Christ, then what do we have to do in order to let go of that which condemns us: The "fruit" of the sinful nature.
At this time, take a deep look at yourself in the mirror and ask your wife and/or accountability parnter where do you measure up to in the Fruit of the Spirit. Are you showing more fruit of the sinful nature, and if the answer is yes, then what do you plan on doing to put to an end to our old selves: The Death of our old Saleman?
Children, keep yourselves from idols. (1 John5:21)
"Letyour character be free from the love of money, being content with what youhave; for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I everforsake you,' so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not beafraid" (Hebrews 13:5-6)
"Youshall not make other gods besides Me; gods of silver or gods of gold, you shallnot make for yourselves" (Exodus 20:23)
As I am writing this blog entry I cannot help but think about whatis missing from the Christian Church today. Where has the training of our young ones gone to? Where are those leaders who are mature Christiansat? The ones who teach their young onesthe ability to discern good from evil? Too many times I look around and see a culture, a Christian Culture thathas a lot of physically grown men, but who are babes in their walks and stillon the proverbial nipple (or still on the milk). “For the word of God is livingand active. Sharper than anydouble-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints andmarrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews4:12). If you are a professional athleteyou have to train hard and continue to practice. If you are a mountain climber, you have topractice and train hard to be able to climb the tallest mountain in theworld. If you are going to be a NavySEAL you have to train really hard to be that good. Likewise, if you are going to grow into amature Christian in order to be able to discern good from evil, then you haveto train and prepare yourself. How do wedo that? We can attain this by reading the Word of God daily and meditating andmemorizing it, and by daily prayers (throughout the day as necessary). We also need to find an accountabilitypartner (besides are wives- if you are married) to give it to us like we needto hear it – through the truth – the word of God.
I think I am getting ahead of myself. First, we have to get to the core of theproblem instead of systematically trying to treat what ails us. Simply put, what is your idol? What is your American Idol that gets in theway between a much stronger relationship with God? Scripture clearly states that as we movecloser to God, He will move closer to us. Therefore, do not be fooled, God is not mocked. He is a holy and righteous God and He callsus to become living sacrifices to Him (Romans 12) and to live Holy (Colossians3). So ask yourself what do I need tocut out of my life in order to move closer to God? What “idol” is standing between God and Ithat prevents me from true fellowship.
This is the point that Lance and I would like to challenge youto step out and drop that which causes you to stumble: Do you work too much (is work youridol)? Do you worship TV (do you put TVbefore your wife and kids and before your fellowship time with God)? Do you spend too much time on the computervisiting websites that you and I both know does not honor God (is porn or thecomputer your idol)? Do you findyourself to busy (is business your idol)? Confess that to which separates you from God. Give it up and move closer to Him. Next move closer to serving at your church. Get involved in a mini-church (small group)and open up with other Christians (you will be pleasantly surprised). You can start attending your men’s biblestudies and/or serving in different ministries at your church.
Then, when you find yourself eating “meat” (that is, reading theWord more and moving closer to God) then you can take the next step of ourchallenge: Find someone to mentor andthen also find someone to mentor you.
Lance and I look forward to finding out what happens to you andyour church over the next year (Now would be the time to read Mathew 28 and theentire Book of John).
May God Bless you and keep you all and make His face shine uponyou.
John 14
1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God[a]; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going."
5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know[b] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
8Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
9Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
15"If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
22Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"
23Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
25"All this I have spoken while still with you. 26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
28"You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, 31but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.
"Come now; let us leave.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtR5-OoMhPM&hl=en&fs=1&w=425&h=344]